A Service of Lessons & Carols
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*Whiteside Park*
If you are joining us at Whiteside Park,parking is available on 7th Ave., 8th Ave., or Harvey St. Please park facing the park and remain in your vehicle. |
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Tonight we enter into worship,
remembering that in the darkness of Creation,
God brought forth Light!
That Light flooded over the waters of creation,
sparkling, dancing!
When everyone was afraid and felt isolated,
God sent a Pillar of Light!
That Light guided them on the path of freedom.
When people cried out, God offered the lights of Hope.
Those lights welcomed people into God’s presence.
Tonight we remember
God’s light was born again in a child.
That Light shall never be diminished.
CAROL: AWAY IN A MANGER
Away in a manger no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky Look down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes
I love thee, Lord Jesus look down from the sky
and stay by my side 'til morning is nigh
Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
and take us to heaven to live with thee there.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES
We light the candle of Hope as we await the coming of Jesus,
who is the source of hope.
We give thanks for the gift of hope in a time of despair.
We light the candle of Peace, remembering Jesus’ words of Peace.
And we give thanks for the gift of peace when there is chaos and violence.
We light the candle of Joy, knowing that our comfort and help come from God.
We give thanks for the gift of joy in a time of sadness.
We light the candle of Love, knowing that God is Love revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
We give thanks for the gift of love in a time of loneliness.
We light the Christ Candle knowing that Jesus is the Light of the world.
The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
GENESIS 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL
Adeste fideles
læti triumphantes,
venite, venite in Bethlehem
natum videte regem angelorum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
venite adoremus, Dominum.
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.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light of light eternal,
our lowly nature he hath not abhorred;
born of a woman, here in flesh appearing.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, begotten, not created.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
ISAIAH 9:2,6-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
CAROL: ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITYOnce in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.
He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.
LUKE 1:26-35, 38
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son… Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
CAROL: WHAT CHILD IS THIS
What child is this Who's laid to rest On Mary's lap is Sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherd's watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste! haste! To bring him, Lord! The babe, the son of Mary
Why lies He in such mean estate. Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here. The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant, king to own him
The King of kings salvation brings Let loving heart enthrone Him
Raise, raise a song on high The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born The Babe, the Son of Mary
LUKE 2:1, 3-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered… 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.
CAROL: O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep
their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together,
proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king,
and peace to men on earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
LUKE 2:8-16
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors.” When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
CAROL: HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
MATTHEW 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
CAROL: WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star
We three kings, we three kings
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign
Oh, star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
We three kings, we three kings
Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
Oh, star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
JOHN 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him. But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
SHARING THE LIGHT
We invite you to celebrate the light of Christ by lighting a candle, turning on an outside light at your home, or by turning on the headlights in your vehicle.
CLOSING PRAYER
CAROL: “SILENT NIGHT”
(you are invited to leave your lights on, or candles lit for "Silent Night")
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;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, 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
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
CHARGE AND BLESSING
SENDING SONG
Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room. And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing. And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! Joy to the world!
Oh Joy to the world!
The Savior reigns Let men their songs employ. While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains.
Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Joy to the world then we sing. Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring
Joy to the world then we sing Let the men their songs employ
Joy to the world then we sing And repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove (And makes the nations prove)
And glories of his righteousness.
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love.
And wonders of his love.
And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Joy to the world then we sing Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring
CALL TO WORSHIP
Tonight we enter into worship,
remembering that in the darkness of Creation,
God brought forth Light!
That Light flooded over the waters of creation,
sparkling, dancing!
When everyone was afraid and felt isolated,
God sent a Pillar of Light!
That Light guided them on the path of freedom.
When people cried out, God offered the lights of Hope.
Those lights welcomed people into God’s presence.
Tonight we remember
God’s light was born again in a child.
That Light shall never be diminished.
CAROL: AWAY IN A MANGER
Away in a manger no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head
The stars in the sky Look down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes
I love thee, Lord Jesus look down from the sky
and stay by my side 'til morning is nigh
Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
and take us to heaven to live with thee there.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES
We light the candle of Hope as we await the coming of Jesus,
who is the source of hope.
We give thanks for the gift of hope in a time of despair.
We light the candle of Peace, remembering Jesus’ words of Peace.
And we give thanks for the gift of peace when there is chaos and violence.
We light the candle of Joy, knowing that our comfort and help come from God.
We give thanks for the gift of joy in a time of sadness.
We light the candle of Love, knowing that God is Love revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
We give thanks for the gift of love in a time of loneliness.
We light the Christ Candle knowing that Jesus is the Light of the world.
The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
GENESIS 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL
Adeste fideles
læti triumphantes,
venite, venite in Bethlehem
natum videte regem angelorum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
venite adoremus, Dominum.
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.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
True God of true God, Light of light eternal,
our lowly nature he hath not abhorred;
born of a woman, here in flesh appearing.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, begotten, not created.
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
ISAIAH 9:2,6-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
CAROL: ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITYOnce in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.
He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.
LUKE 1:26-35, 38
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son… Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
CAROL: WHAT CHILD IS THIS
What child is this Who's laid to rest On Mary's lap is Sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherd's watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste! haste! To bring him, Lord! The babe, the son of Mary
Why lies He in such mean estate. Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here. The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant, king to own him
The King of kings salvation brings Let loving heart enthrone Him
Raise, raise a song on high The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born The Babe, the Son of Mary
LUKE 2:1, 3-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered… 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.
CAROL: O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep
their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together,
proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king,
and peace to men on earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
LUKE 2:8-16
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors.” When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
CAROL: HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
MATTHEW 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
CAROL: WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star
We three kings, we three kings
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign
Oh, star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
We three kings, we three kings
Myrrh is mine, it's bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
Oh, star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
We three kings, we three kings
JOHN 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him. But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
SHARING THE LIGHT
We invite you to celebrate the light of Christ by lighting a candle, turning on an outside light at your home, or by turning on the headlights in your vehicle.
CLOSING PRAYER
CAROL: “SILENT NIGHT”
(you are invited to leave your lights on, or candles lit for "Silent Night")
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;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, 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
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
CHARGE AND BLESSING
SENDING SONG
Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room. And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing. And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! Joy to the world!
Oh Joy to the world!
The Savior reigns Let men their songs employ. While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains.
Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Joy to the world then we sing. Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring
Joy to the world then we sing Let the men their songs employ
Joy to the world then we sing And repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove (And makes the nations prove)
And glories of his righteousness.
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love.
And wonders of his love.
And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Joy to the world then we sing Let the earth receive her King!
Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring