P:= Pastor
C: = Congregation
N: = Narrator
Order of Worship
Prelude
Stand
Hymn: Peace Is Only a Starry Night
Marty Haugen, GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago IL
Peace is only a starry night . . .shining on those who believe.
Love is only a mother's glow. . . only the hearts who believe.
Happy those who have children's eyes . . .they live in all they do.
God is only a quiet birth. . . sounding for all who believe.
P: Its peaceful tonight;
C: A night of quiet hearts.
P: Its peaceful tonight;
C: A night of calm reflection.
P Its peaceful tonight;
C: A night of tender love.
P: Its the peace of a loving Father.
C: Its the peace of a tender Spirit.
P. It’s the peace of a newborn Son. God's peace be with you.
C: And also with you.
(All share a greeting of peace)
Hymn: 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
sit
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Hymn: 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
Reading: Isaiah 7:14
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Hymn: Away in a Manger
Tune Name: AWAY IN A MANGER
Text Source: Text: North American, anonymous, 19th cent.
Music Source: Music: North American, anonymous, 19th cent.
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Special Music or Hymn: Watchman, Tell Us Of the Night (Elvey)
Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Hymn: Still, Still, Still
Tune: Salzburg Melody
Text: translation by Lisa Frenz
1. Still, still, still, While the child is trying to sleep.
Maria now is singing to him,
Softly to her breast she brings him,
Still, still, still, While the child is trying to sleep.
2. Sleep, sleep, sleep, My dear little baby, sleep!
The angel host from heaven serenades him,
The child who brings us jubilation!
Sleep, sleep, sleep, My dear little baby, sleep.
Kid's Christmas Story
Sermon
Hymn: 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
Offering
Stand
P: Wonderful night!
C: Holy night!
P: God's promise is fulfilled!
C: Blessings and honor,
P: Praise and glory,
C: To the Almighty we raise!
P: Songs and prayers,
C: Chants and thanksgiving,
P: To our Redeemer proclaim!
C: Wonderful night!
P: Holy night!
C: Night of salvation and love.
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard On High Vs. 1, 2.
Tune Name: GLORIA
Text Source: Text: French carol; tr. "Crown of Jesus," 1862
Music Source: Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958
Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Institution of Communion
The Lord's Prayer
sit
Distribution of Communion
Optional Hymns:
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Stand
P: The body and blood of our living Christ heal and protect you now and always, and give you peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn: I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
Words: Henry Longfellow, 1864.
Music: John Calkin, 1872
1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
2. I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
(The Pastor lights his individual candle during the previous hymn, and "shares" the light of his candle with the congregation as they read the following.)
P: Wondrous night!
C: Glorious night!
P: A night of angels and shepherds.
C: God governs this earth,
P: And corruption is annihilated.
C: Glorious night!
P: Heavenly night
C: The peace of God is given,
P: And worry wins no longer.
C:. Heavenly night!
P: Miraculous night!
C: Night of marvels uncounted!
P: God's Son is here,
C: And sin is forgiven.
P: Miraculous night!
C: Wonderful night!
P: Night of joy unbounded!
C: God's light has come!
P: And the darkness flees before it!
Hymn: Joy to the World
Postlude