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GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Prelude
"On This Day Earth Shall Ring"
UMH #248
Welcome
Pastor: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Tonight we gather in the presence of the newborn Christ.
People: Praise the Lord!
Pastor: I invite you to take a deep breath. Imagine the night sky above you—still, star-lit, full of wonder. On this holy night, we step into the mystery: in the quiet of a stable, a child’s cry changes the world; in the stillness of a field, God’s glory breaks open. Come, and enter the story of love made flesh, the story we are now called to tell.
In this moment, all is calm, all is bright.
Call to Worship
Liturgist: Tonight, we gather in the glow of hope, wonder, and expectation.
People: Tonight, the story begins again.
Liturgist: Into a world longing for peace, God speaks a word of love made flesh.
People: And now, everything is different—because Christ is born.
Liturgist: In the cries of a newborn child, we hear God’s promise whispering:
People: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all people.”
Liturgist: This is the night when heaven leans close to earth,
People: When light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
Liturgist: This is the night when angels sing, shepherds run, and a new story takes hold of the world.
People: A story we are invited to share, to carry, to live.
Liturgist: So let us lift our hearts, ready to receive the good news.
People: For now we have a story to tell -
All: Because Christ is born, and the world has changed. Amen.
Introit
“On Christmas Night”
arr. Marshall Barron
Adult Choir
Mark Beatty, guitarist
(in-person service only)
"O Come to Us, Emmanuel"
by Joseph M. Martin
Adult Choir (singing from our homes in 2020)
(pre-recorded service only)
ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD
Lightening of the Christ Candle
First Reader: Tonight/Today, we gather to remember with the prophet Isaiah: 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. Great will be his authority, 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 (Isaiah 9:6-7).
All: We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah.
Second Reader: We light the Christ candle as a sign of the glory that came among us in unexpected places and to unexpected people, that we may be people who seek and follow the glory of the Christ child here and now.
(Light the center candle of the Advent wreath.)
Advent Song
"Light the Advent Candle"
TFWS #2000 (Stanza 5)
(in-person service only)
Hymn
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
UMH #234 (verses 1 & 2)
First Lesson: The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior
Isaiah 9:2-7
"Lo. How a Rose E'er Blooming"
UMH #216 (verses 1 & 2)
(in-person service only)
Second Lesson: The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Luke 1:26-35, 38
“To a Maid Engaged to Joseph"
UMH #215 (verses 1, 6)
(in-person service only)
Third Lesson: Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2: 1; 3–7
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
UMH #230 (verses 1, 2)
(in-person service only)
Fourth Lesson: The shepherds go to the manger.
Luke 2: 8–16
"Angels We Have Heard on High"
UMH #238 (verses 1, 2)
(in-person service only)
Fifth Lesson: The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
Matthew 2: 1–11
(in-person service only)
“The First Noel”
UMH #245 (verses 4, 5)
(in-person service only)
Sixth Lesson: John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
John 1:1-14
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
UMH #240 (verses 2, 3)
(in-person service only)
Christmas Message
"On This Holy Night, We have a Story to Tell ”
Pastor Jinyong
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