ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME
W Rise in body or spirit.
Please join in reading or singing the words in bold.
Prelude “O Holy Night” Adam/Carter
As you open your mind and your heart to God’s presence in our midst, we invite you to prepare for this service as you listen to the prelude, which marks the beginning of worship.
Lighting of the Candles
WIntroit “Mary Had a Baby” Landon
Joan Zimmer, Sally Cornford, Rob Thompson, & Richard Stewart
Call to Worship
Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy.
To us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!
Let us go now to Bethlehem.
Greetings & Announcements
WPassing of the Peace
WHymn of Praise “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #31
Prayer of Confession
Great and glorious God, through Jesus Christ our Savior you have shown us that the blessed age of grace has appeared and the hoped-for time of salvation has come. Yet we cling to the glories of the present age—worldly passions and impious pursuits, self-indulgent, crooked, and ungodly ways. We choose to walk in darkness, unwilling to see the evil your light exposes. Cleanse us and free us; break the yoke we choose to carry through Christ, who gave himself for us, so that we might be your people, holy and whole. Amen.
Silent Reflection
Assurance of New Beginnings
Sharing Faith with the Children
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Reader 1: We light the Christ candle to symbolize God’s promise fulfilled.
Reader 2: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to all on whom his favor rests.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Children ages 3-9 may go to Children’s Church
PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD
WHymn of Preparation “Angels We Have Heard on High” #23
Prayer for Illumination
First Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Choral Anthem “Lullay Thou Little Tiny Child” Peterson
Second Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-20 New Testament, p. 58
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Pastor David Fuentes
WHymn of Response “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” #38
GIVE THANKS TO GOD
Song of Prayer
“The Canticle of the Turning”
Teresa Wah, Hso Wah, John Kelley & Choir
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.
GO IN GOD’S NAME
WClosing Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” #60
During the first verse please light your candle.
Postlude “Postlude on Antioch” Peterson
Depart in joy!
Image on Cover: “Annunciation, Birth, Adoration and Presentation,” Conrad von Soest, 1403, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
Events in the life of our faith community:
Worship every Sunday at 10:30am
Youth and Young Adult Trip (6th grade through young adult): January 12-15, Boone NC
Serve the Homeless at RCS: Monthly on the third Saturday at 6pm
Presbyterian Women’s Circles: Bible studies monthly on the first Wednesday at 10am and second Tuesday at 6pm
Knitting and Quilting Ministries: Every Thursday morning
Monday Morning Prayer Circle: Every Monday at 10am
Book Club: Last Tuesday of the month at 7pm (next book is “Be Frank with Me” by Julia Claiborne Johnson)
West New Bern Presbyterian Church
1701 Lucerne Way
New Bern, North Carolina
(252) 638-1005
Sunday, December 24, 2017
5:00 p.m.