Prelude Nicaea Brass & Josh Kraybill, organ

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing arr. Nathaniel Hepler

Wachet Auf Johann Sebastian Bach

Ding Dong Merrily on High arr. Tim Olt

Welcome Dr. Jonny Gibson

Musical Praise

Sonata Picinetti/arr. Myanna Harvey
Tenth Youth Orchestra; Judy Harvey, director

There’s a New Song in the Air Joseph Martin

Whatcha Gonna Call That Baby? Phyllis Wolfe-White
Coffee Hour Choir
Bob Yang, piano
Eleanor Bracey, director

Call to Worship Dr. Gibson

Carol 195: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come Antioch

Christmas Prayer

God, who makes us glad with the yearly celebration of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ, grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he will come to be our Judge, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Instrumental Praise

I Saw Three Ships Trad. Folk Tune/W. Sandys/arr. Myanna Harvey
Tenth Youth Orchestra

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 Marianne Swain

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Carol 225: Once in Royal David’s City Irby

Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25 Rev. Tim Geiger

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Instrumental Praise

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Traditional English Carol/arr. Myanna Harvey

Tenth Youth Orchestra

Prayer

Scripture: Luke 2:8–14 The Miller Family

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Carol 214: Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria

Scripture: John 1:1–14 Lisa Gerard

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Homily Dr. Gibson

Carol 210: Silent Night! Holy Night! Stille Nacht

(Before we sing, we will light our candles, reminding us that Jesus, the Light of the World, is born!)

Benediction

Postlude: Praise to the Lord of Hosts, from Christmas Oratorio Camille Saint-Saëns