The Service in PDF format is at: December 11, 2022 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
PRESERVICE MUSIC BY CHILDREN OF OUR CHURCH
Narrator: In times past, the prophet spoke the word from God saying: “Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor me with lip service- yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote- therefore I will again confound these people with wonder after wonder.” (Isaiah 29:13-14a)
Congregation: This is the story of that marvelous work. The marvelous work and the wonder of Jesus.
Narrator: “On that day, the deaf will hear the words of a scroll, and out of a deep darkness, the eyes of the blind will see. The humble will have joy after joy in the Lord, and the poor people will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:18-19)
Congregation: The humble shall increase their joy in the Lord, the poor shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
(Cast sing Verse 1, Congregation sing Verse 2)
O, come, O, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here.
Until the Son of God appear.
(Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel
O Come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Refrain)
Narrator: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare YOUR way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘prepare the way for the Lord: make His paths straight!’” (Mark 1:1-3)
Narrator: “In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the gill country of Judah where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry.” (Luke 1:39-42a)
Elizabeth: “You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to you by the Lord will be fulfilled!” (Luke 1:42b-45)
Mary: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.” (Luke 1:46-49)
Congregation: “He who is mighty has done great things. Holy is His name. “
Narrator: “Long ago, God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe. He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
Congregation: “In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son, the brightness of His glory.”
Narrator: “While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough- because there was no room for them at the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
Narrator: “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9)
Narrator: Then the angel said to them:
ANGEL: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10)
ANGEL: “Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” (Luke 2:11)
Narrator: “When He again brings His firstborn into the world, He says, and all God’s angels must worship Him”
Congregation: Let all the angels of God worship Him.
Song: Angels We Have Heard on High
(Cast sing Verse 1, Congregation sing Verse 2)
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
(Refrain) Glo————-ria, in excelsis Deo;
Glo————-ria, in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord the newborn king.
(Refrain)
Narrator: “Let Israel celebrate its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.” (Psalms 149:2)
Narrator: “Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalms 149:3-4)
Song: Go Tell It on the Mountain
(Cast sing Verse 1, Congregation sing Verse 2)
(Refrain) Go Tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go Tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds keep their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
(Refrain)
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
(Refrain)
Narrator: “Let the godly celebrate in triumphal glory: let them shout for joy on their beds. Let the exaltation of God be in their mouths. (Psalms 149:5-6a)
Congregation: We are joyful in glory; the praises of God are in our mouth.
Narrator: “For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.“ (John 3:17)
Congregation: Through Jesus we are not condemned. Through Jesus we are saved. We are joyful in glory; the praises of God are in our mouth.
(Cast sing Verse 1, Congregation sing Verse 2)
Joy to the world,
the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove.
The glories of – His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
Narrator: And Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in the world, be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Congregation: We can have peace and good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world.
Narrator: And Jesus said: “For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:27)
Congregation: We are His beloved children. The Father Himself loves us.
Narrator: And Jesus said, “Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy.” (John 16:22b)
Congregation: We are His beloved children. We rejoice. We have peace and joy.
Narrator: And Jesus said,” I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
(Cast sing Verse 1, Congregation sing Verse 2 & 3)
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,
Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Pastor’s message and final Prayer
Closing Song: Oh come all ye faithful
C. Frederick Oakeley; John Francis Wade; Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain
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
Chorus: O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
The highest most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Born of a virgin a
mortal he comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
Chorus
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav’n above
Glory to God all
Glory in the highest
Chorus
Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
Chorus
December 14 – 5:00pm Midweek Advent Service
December 18 – 10:00am Worship Service
December 24 – 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service
December 25 – 10:00am Christmas Day Service
December 31 – 7:00pm New Year’s Eve Service
January 1 – 10:00am New Year’s Day Service