Order of Worship 12-24-23

Posted on Dec 22, 2023 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

Nativity of the Lord: Christmas Eve

December 24, 2023 Six O’Clock in the Evening

Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart

Liturgist: Laurie Hill

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THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE Away in a Manger arr. Dave Brubeck

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [GTG133] “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

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

(refrain) O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him,

O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

2, Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! (refrain)

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation!

Sing all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest! (refrain)

WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION Christmas Joy offering

EXPECTATION FOR MESSIAH

LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES

PERSON 1: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

ALL: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

PERSON 2: Sing praise to the newborn child,

ALL: Our hope of salvation, prince of peace, joy everlasting, and love of God eternal.

PERSON 3: Lift high your voices in a song of celebration!

ALL: The light has come!

RESPONSIVE HYMN [BLUE#9] [GTG#88]: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind;

bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

LITANY FOR ADVENT: O ANTIPHONS

ONE: O Wisdom,

coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

pervading and permeating all creation,

you order all things with strength and gentleness:

Come now and teach us the way of salvation.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Adonai, Ruler of the house of Israel,

you appeared in a burning bush to Moses

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come with outstretched arm to save us.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Root of Jesse,

rising as a sign for all the peoples,

before you, earthly rulers will keep silent,

and nations give you honor:

Come quickly to deliver us.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Key of David,

Scepter over the house of Israel,

you open and no one can close,

you close and no one can open:

Come to set the prisoners free.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Radiant Dawn,

splendor of eternal light,

Sun of justice:

Come, shine on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Ruler of the nations,

Monarch for whom the people long,

you are the cornerstone uniting all humanity:

Come, save us all,

whom you formed out of clay.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

O Emmanuel,

our Sovereign and lawgiver,

desire of the nations and Savior of all:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

MANY: Come, Lord Jesus.

Grace of Grace,

ever faithful to your promises,

the earth rejoices in hope of our Savior’s coming

and looks forward with longing

to his return at the end of time.

Prepare our hearts to receive him when he comes,

for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

FIRST LESSON Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

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.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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

MANY: Thanks be to God

HOMILY “Why Lies He In Such Mean Estate?” The Rev. Aaron Ochart

THE WORD MADE FLESH

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below.

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;: praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

HYMN: [GTG #145] “What Child is This” GREENSLEEVES

What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

haste, haste, to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be born for me, for you.

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise the songs on high. The virgin sings a lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!

LITANY FOR CHRISTMAS

One: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.