Christmas Day
Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Coventry Carol” Traditional English Carol
Richard Hagen, Flugelhorn
Lighting the Christ Candle (responsive)
One: Friends, the angels say, “Be not afraid,” but they also say, “Unto you a child is born.” Christ is born for you. Christ walked this earth for you. Christ forgives you. That’s what love does. It makes room. It offers grace. It learns your name. So repeat these words of hope after me:
Unto us a child is born.
All: Unto us a child is born.
One: Unto us grace is given.
All: Unto us grace is given.
One: May this good news change the very fabric of our lives.
All: Christ has made room for all of us. Amen.
Hymn 40* “Joy to the World!”
Opening Prayer
Hymn 41* “O Come, All Ye Faithful!”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading (In Unison) 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 favours!’
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.
Message for Children of all Ages The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Passing of the Peace
Hymn 38* “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
Responsive Affirmation of Faith (from Romans 8)
One: What then are we to say about these things?
All: If God is for us, who is against us?
One: Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
All: [We are] convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Offertory “Maria Wiegenlied” Max Reger, Op. 76 No. 52
(The Virgin’s Slumber Song)
Donna Malyszko, Soprano
Doxology Lasst uns erfreuen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper including The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn* “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
(attachment)
Charge and Benediction
Instrumentalists:
Madeline DePue, Flute
Elizabeth Moulthrop, Violin
Richard Hagen, Flugelhorn
Week After Christmas
December 26: Church Office will be closed
December 31: Worship Service 10:00 am led by guest preacher Norma Prescott
(Please note: No Sunday School or Coffee Hour)
January 1: 10:00 am walk in Brookdale Park
January 2: Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8:00 am
January 3: Caretaker’s Group 10:30 am at Union Congregational
Women’s Bible Study led by Pastor Robin 2:30 pm at the Manse
January 6: Congregation Input Sessions for Church Rebuild in the chapel at Union Congregational from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
Daily Devotions: 9 am Monday – Friday on-line