THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

CANTATA: Let There Be Christmas

Joseph M. Martin

Conductor: Kristin Schmitz Pianist: Kelly Cuppett

CANTATA:  Christmas Overture and Processional

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
O come, ye O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels.
O come, let us adore Him. O come, let us adore Him.
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Verse 2: Choir only

WORDS OF WELCOME: Rev. Michael Ball

Let There Be FAITH: Rev. Susan Lassalle

EXPECTATION FOR MESSIAH

Call to Worship 1 John 4:9-11

ONE: God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us;

MANY: and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE (Lindsay and Austin Shin with Lea, Penny, and Oliver)

1st PERSON: Introduction of the Advent Day 

2nd PERSON: Lighting of the Candle

[Light the Candle] 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Let There Be HOPE: Rev. Susan Lassalle

CANTATA: “The Divine Expectation”

Let There Be PEACE: Rev. Susan Lassalle

CANTATA: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”  

(Low Voices): 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 al the years are met in thee tonight.

(High Voices): O Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth;
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all the earth!

Verse 3: Choir only

(All Voices): O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on 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.
O come to us; abide with us, our Lord, Emmanuel.

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God with us, you are coming into the world to bring all people together in peace. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit and abuse both neighbor and nature and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON    Luke 1:68-79    Rev. Michael Ball   

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”                    

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

THE WORD MADE FLESH   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERTORY: Let There Be LOVE: Rev. Susan Lassalle

CANTATA: “Carols from a Quiet Manger” feat. Briana Mayfield      

DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592] [GTG# 606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let There Be JOY: Rev. Susan Lassalle

CANTATA: “Arise!”

PARTING PRAYER:  Let There Be GRACE: Rev. Michael Ball

One: Let there be Grace…

And the darkness has not overcome it.

Many: The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the World. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION: 

Let There Be LIFE: Rev. Susan Lassalle

A JOYFUL GATHERING OF CAROLS

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven 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.

Infant holy, infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall.

Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging, angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing,

“Christ the Babe is Lord of all.”

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. 

Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia!”

Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

The first Noel the angel did say, 

was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay.

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, noel, noel noel!

Born is the King of Israel.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies.

With angelic hosts proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

POSTLUDE: Reprise

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.