FIRST DRAFT

We Gather to Hear God’s Word

Prelude  (Light the Advent Candles during the Prelude but not the Christ Candle.)

Westminster Chimes

Words of Welcome

Words of Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-2

    “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.”

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

INTROIT
Solo: “Comfort Ye, My People” from Messiah G. F. Handel
Da’On Boulanger-Chapman, Tenor

XCall to Worship  (You are invited to rise in body or spirit and join in the Call to Worship.) 

One: We come with JOY to worship Almighty God on this Christmas Eve.

All: Our help is found in the Name of the Lord, the Maker and the Redeemer of all the heavens and the earth.

One:  We come to give thanks to God for the gift of Jesus, the Messiah.

All:    With all that is within us we give you thanks and praise, O God Most High. Your gift of salvation and new life through Jesus Christ gives us hope to be your people. Thanks be to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

XHymn     “Joy to the World”   # 134

XOpening Prayer   Let us pray: Be with us Lord Jesus as we worship in your Name. Allow the fullness of the Holy Spirit to fall upon us. May this time of worship and praise bring peace and hope to all our lives, that we might a blessing in everything we do and say. Joy to the world! AMEN!

You may be seated. 

Time with Children and Youth – The Lighting of the Christ Candle 

Words of Scripture

        Isaiah 40:5  “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Chorus: “And the Glory of the Lord” from Messiah G. F. Handel

XPassing of the Peace

One:  The Peace of Christ be with you. Merry Christmas.!

     All: And also with you

(Please pass the peace to each other, greeting one another in Christ’s name.) 

*Hymn   “O Little Town of Bethlehem”  # 121

Meditation      Rev. Mark Walz – St. Patrick’s Anglican Church

Words of Scripture 

      Isaiah 40:11  “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

     Matthew 11:28-30  “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Leader: The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Solo:      “He Shall Feed His Flock” from Messiah G. F. Handel
Anna Clarkson, Soprano

Meditation             Rev. Dr. John Blacklock – Westminster Presbyterian Church

*Hymn   “Away in a Manger”  # 114

Words of Scripture

      Revelation 19:6  “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

     Revelation 11:15  “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying: The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.

     Revelation 19:16  “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh the name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

     Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

     All: Thanks be to God.

*Chorus:   “Hallelujah”  from Messiah G. F. Handel                

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession  

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

WE BEAR THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

XHymn     “Silent Night”                       Led by Jake Glover

      (During the singing of the hymn our High School youth will come forward and light their candle from the Christ Candle spreading the light around the congregation.)                                                                                                                                        

XBenediction

BENEDICTION
XChorus: “Glory to God” from Messiah G. F. Handel    

Postlude