PRELUDE: Noel We Sing (from Noel “Grand Jeu et Duo”) by Louis Daquin/arr. DeCormier & Biggs
Angels of the Lord they came from the heavens singing, called the shepherds forth by name while the bells were ringing. Told the shepherds where they lay, that Jesus Christ was born today. Noel we sing, Christ is born a King. Leave your ewes and leave your rams, leave the watch you’re keeping, leave your sheep and leave your lambs on the hillside sleeping, rise up, shepherd, follow me to the manger lowly. Noel we sing, Christ is born a King. To the manger, straight they came, there they knelt before Him, singing praises to His name, thus they did adore Him, echoing their sweet amen, Christ is born in Bethlehem, noel we sing, amen. Noel we sing, Christ is born a King. Trumpets sound and angels sing, join in celebration, to us all good tidings bring of a new creation. For today a Child is born, Jesus, son of Mary. Noel we sing, Christ is born a King. [Louise Dobbs]
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP, WITH THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
Advent Candle Blessings by Barbara Wallace
Arise, shine for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. And she brought forth her firstborn Son and laid Him in a manger. The Christmas candle is our Hope, our Peace, our Love, our everlasting Joy. Amen. [Alice Carpenter]
PRAYER OF PRAISE
HYMN: Once in Royal David’s City [Irby]
PRAYER
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 2:1-7
ANTHEM: Jesus Child by John Rutter
Have you heard the story that they’re telling ‘bout Bethlehem, have you heard the story of the Jesus child? How He came from heaven and was born in a manger bed? Mary was his virgin mother pure and mild. Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters, worship the Jesus child and praise His mother mild. ‘Glory to God’ the angel hosts are singing: listen to the story of the Jesus child. Have you heard the story of the poor humble shepherd men, sitting on the hillside with their flocks at night? Suddenly the angel tells them: ‘Hurry to Bethlehem; go and find the Jesus child, the world’s new light.’ Jesus child, lying at Bethlehem, sleeping safe at Mary’s knee, save my soul and bring me to paradise, let me join the angels singing glory to thee. Have you heard the story of the kings from the orient, following the star that’s shining over His head? Offering their precious gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense, kneeling with the ox and ass before His bed? Brothers let us celebrate the birth of the Jesus child, sisters, come and welcome him, the newborn King; praise the Lord who sent Him down from heaven at Christmas time; young and old the rich and poor, His praises sing.
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 2:8-14
ANTHEM: Angels’ Carol by John Rutter
Have you heard the sound of the angel voices ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear? Have you seen the star shining out so brightly as a song from God that Christ the Lord is here? Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven to the humble shepherds who have waited long? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels sing their joyful song. He is come in peace in the winter’s stillness, like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night; He is come in joy like the sun at morning filling all the world with radiance and with light. He is come in love as the child of Mary; in a simple stable we have seen His birth: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing ‘Peace on earth’. He will bring new light to a world in darkness, like a bright star shining in the skies above; He will bring new hope to the waiting nations when He comes to reign in purity and love. Let the earth rejoice at the Savior’s coming; let the heavens answer with the joyful morn: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing ‘Christ is born.’
SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 2:15-19
HYMN: Born in the Night, Mary’s Child [Mary’s Child]
SERMON: “Taking In the Blessing of Christmas”
Mary Did You Know? – Words and music by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene – Arranged by Jonathan Miller – Vocals: Andria Cabrera, Maria Shafer, Myles Mineer, Mark Waters – Interpretative Movement: Temwani Woods
HYMN: What Child Is This [Greensleeves]
CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION
PRAYER
PARTAKING OF THE FEAST
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
HYMN: Silent Night, Holy Night [Stille Nacht]
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
BENEDICTION
CHORAL POSTLUDE: Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day by John Gardner
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love; this have I done for my true love. Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance; thus was I knit to man’s nature. In a manger laid and wrapped I was, so very poor this was my chance, betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass. Then afterwards baptized I was; the Holy Ghost on me did glance, my Father’s voice heard from above, to call my true love to my dance: sing O my love! This have I done for my true love. [Traditional]
Merry Christmas!
You are invited to go to your app store and download our Covenant Presbyterian Church app – CovenantLB
If you would like the Pastoral Staff or Prayer Ministry to join you in prayer, please use this link to complete a prayer request form – https://forms.gle/53EaEa6TXidCPgEi8
Write a comment: