“glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those

with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:14Call to Worship

O come, all ye faithful,joyful and triumphant,

O come, ye, O come, yeto Bethlehem.

Latin Hymn: Adeste FidelesO Come, All Ye Faithful

Come and behold himborn 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.

God of God,Light of Light,

Lo, he abhors notthe Virgin’s womb.

Very God,begotten, not created;

O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,sing in exultation;

O sing, all ye citizensof heaven above!

Glory to God,all glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,born this happy morning;

Jesus to theebe glory given.

Word of the Father,now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” • Latin Hymn: Adeste FidelesPublic Domain • CCLI License #11109756

Prayer of Invocation

The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger

and abounding in steadfast love.The LORD is good to all,and his mercy is over all

that he has made.

Psalm 145:8-9Call to Confession of Sin

Holy Father, Son, and Spirit,we have lived in open rebellion

against your gracious rule.

Confession of Sin

Please, Lord Jesus, may we findour redemptionin your passion,

the absolution of our guiltin your condemnation,

the cancellation of our cursein your cross,

the satisfaction for our sinsin your sacrifice,

our purificationin your blood,

reconciliation to Godin your descent into hell,

the death of our fleshin your tomb,immortality

in your resurrection,our inheritance

in your ascension.

We believe, Lord.Help our unbelief.

Amen.

(Silent confession)

The LORD is nearto all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.He fulfills the desire

of those who fear him;he also hears their cry

and saves them.

Psalm 145:18-20Assurance of Forgiveness

The LORD preserves all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

May the peace of Christ be with you.And also with you.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:38Offering

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise him, all creatures here below;Praise him above, ye heav’nly host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Text: Thomas Ken (1674)Music: “Old 100th” / Genevan Psalter / Louis Bourgeois (1551)

The Doxology

Public Domain • CCLI License #11109756

…

The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God!

Isaiah 60:1-3Old Testament Reading

The Lord be with you.And also with you.

Let us pray…

Prayers of the People

Lord, you built your church and promised to dwell with her forever.

Bless all who guard and feed your sheep, those who shepherd souls, those who care for the poor, those who minister praise, as well as those who teach your Word. That as you are lifted up, men and women will be drawn to you.

Lord, likewise, you rule over the nations of the earth.

We pray for peace in every corner of the world: where there is war, where there is persecution, where there is starvation, where there is sickness, as well as every nation where there is suffering, that you will be glorified among the nations.

Lord, out of the depths of eternity you moved in history in the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

In him was life and the life was our light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Cause that light to shine ever brighter in us and through us. Amen.

Of the Father’s love begottenere the worlds began to be,

he is Alpha and Omega,he the Source, the ending he,

of the things that are, that have been,and that future years shall see,

evermore and evermore!

Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413Music: Divinum Mysterium, 11th c.

Of The Father’s Love Begotten

O that birth forever blessed,when the Virgin, full of grace,by the Holy Ghost conceivingbore the Savior of our race;

and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,first revealed his sacred face,

evermore and evermore!

This is he whom heav’n-taught singerssang of old with one accord,

whom the Scriptures of the prophetpromised in their faithful word;

now he shines, the long expected;let creation praise its Lord,evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heav’n, adore him;angel hosts, his praises sing;all dominions, bow before himand extol our God and King;

let no tongue on earth be silent,ev’ry voice in concert ring,evermore and evermore!

“Of The Father’s Love Begotten” • Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413Music: Divinum Mysterium, 11th c. • Public Domain • CCLI License #11109756

Christ to thee with God the Father,and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,hymn and chant and high

thanksgiving,and unwearied praises be,honor, glory, and dominion,

and eternal victory,evermore and evermore!

O holy night,the stars are brightly shining,

it is the nightof our dear Savior’s birth.

Text: Placide Cappeau, Transl. John S. DwightMusic: Adolphe Adam

O Holy Night

Long lay the worldin sin and error pining

till he appearedand the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hopethe weary soul rejoices,

for yonder breaksa new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees!O hear the angel voices!

O night divine!O night when Christ was born!

O night divine!O night, O night divine!

Truly he taughtus to love one another,

his law is love,and his gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break,the slave, he is our brother,

and in his nameall oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joyin grateful chorus raise we,

let all within uspraise his holy name.

Fall on your knees!O hear the angel voices!

O night divine!O night when Christ was born!

O night divine!O night, O night divine!

“O Holy Night” • Text: Placide Cappeau, Transl. John S. DwightMusic: Adolphe Adam • Public Domain • CCLI License #11109756

…

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.Praise be to you, O Christ!

Luke 2:21-35Gospel Reading

What do you believe?

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth.

The Apostles’ CreedConfession of Faith

And in Jesus Christ,His only Son, our Lord, who was

conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third dayhe rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand

of God the Father Almighty.From there he shall come

to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,to which indeed you were called in one body.

And be thankful.

(Greet one another with the words,“The peace of Christ be with you.”)

Colossians 3:15Passing of the Peace

Institution of the Lord’s Table

Therefore let us proclaim the mystery of faith.Christ has died.Christ is risen.

Christ will come again!

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.Therefore let us keep the feast.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

(The Mystery of Faith)Mysterium Fidei

What child is thiswho laid to rest

on Mary’s lap is sleeping?Whom angels greetwith anthems sweet

while shepherds watch are keeping?

Text: English Carol • Music: Greensleeves

What Child Is This?

This, this is Christ the Kingwhom shepherds guard

and angels sing.Haste, haste to bring him laud

the Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies he insuch mean estate,

where ox and ass are feeding?Good Christians, fear,

for sinners herethe silent Word is pleading.

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

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,the Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring him incense,gold and myrrh,

come peasant, king to own him;the King of kingssalvation brings,

let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise a song on high,the virgin sings her lullaby.Joy, joy for Christ is born,

the Babe, the Son of Mary.

“What Child Is This?” • Text: English CarolMusic: Greensleeves • Public Domain • CCLI License #11109756

Thou who wast richbeyond all splendor,

all for love’s sake becamest poor;thrones for a manger

didst surrender,sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.

Text: Frank Houghton • Music: French Carol Melody

Thou Who Wast Rich

Thou who wast richbeyond all splendor,

all for love’s sake becamest poor.

Thou who art Godbeyond all praising,

all for love’s sake becamest man;stooping so low,

but sinners raisingheavenwards by thine eternal plan.

Thou who art Godbeyond all praising,

all for love’s sake becamest man.

Thou who art lovebeyond all telling,

Saviour and King, we worship thee.Emmanuel,

within us dwelling,make us what thou wouldst have us be.

Thou who art lovebeyond all telling,

Saviour and King, we worship thee.

“Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor” • Text: Frank HoughtonMusic: French Carol Melody • Public Domain • CCLI License #11109756

Angels we have heard on high,(echo)

sweetly singing o’er the plains,(echo)

Traditional French Carol

Angels We Have Heard On High

and the mountains in reply(echo)

echo back their joyous strains.(echo)

Gloria in excelsis Deo!Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?(echo)

Why your joyous strains prolong?(echo)

Say what may the tidings be(echo)

which inspire your heav’nly song?(echo)

Gloria in excelsis Deo!Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see(echo)

him whose birth the angels sing!(echo)

Come adore on bended knee(echo)

Christ the Lord, the newborn King!(echo)

Gloria in excelsis Deo!Gloria in excelsis Deo!

“Angels We Have Heard On High” • Traditional French CarolPublic Domain • CCLI License #11109756

Romans 16:20Benediction