Dec. 26 Livestream – Christ Emmanuel

God offers every person “new life in Christ.” May we accept God’s gift and let Christ be born in us.
We welcome Rev. Mary Albert as our guest pastor this morning. Thank you, Mary, for leading us in worship today!
A Blessed Christmas to God’s whole world.

Service will begin both in-person and online around 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 26. Please join us in our sanctuary or on our YouTube page.

WELCOME

PRELUDE Born Is He, the Divine Christ Child – Harris

CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace and brings Good News.
All: Let Christ be born in us.
One: Listen! Your sentinels lift their voices and sing for joy. In plain sight, they see the return of the Lord.
All: Let Christ be born in us.
One: Break forth into singing, for the Lord has comforted the people and redeemed Jerusalem.
All: Let Christ be born in us.

HYMN Angels from the Realms of Glory #207

Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

REFRAIN
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the fields abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light:

REFRAIN

Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star:

REFRAIN

Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

REFRAIN

PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God Emmanuel, you are with us! In recent days, once again we have received your Sacred Word foretelling the Birth of Christ. We have listened to the promises of your prophets. We have rejoiced at the melody of angels’ songs. We have celebrated your exceptionally bright star in the heavens. We have followed this star to a humble birthplace. We have come to be with you, because you have come to be with us.
God, we rejoice that your amazing love is ever-new and ever-lasting! Today, may your goodness and love fill our souls, as we echo your angels, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace to all on earth.” Amen.

PRAISE RESPONSE Joy to the World! #194

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the Nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of HIs love
And wonders of HIs love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

GOD’S WORD Colossians 3:12-17 Pastor Mary

SPECIAL MUSIC ‘He Is Lord’ with ‘O Come, Let Us Adore Him’ – Hayes

GOD’S WORD John 1:1-18 Pastor Mary

SERMON Pastor Mary

HYMN The Star Carol #201

Long years ago on a deep winter night, High in the heavens a star shone bright,
While in a manger a wee Baby lay, Sweetly asleep on a bed of hay.

Jesus, the Lord, was that Baby so small, Laid down to sleep in a humble stall;
Then came the star and it stood overhead, Shedding its light ‘round His little bed.

Dear Baby Jesus, How tiny Thou art, I’ll make a place for Thee in my heart,
And when the stars in the heavens I see, Ever and always I’ll think of Thee.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pastor Mary
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem #200

O 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,
O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is give’n!
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of HIs heav’n.
No ear my hear His coming, But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem! descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.

SENDING OUT Let Christ be born in us. Pastor Mary

POSTLUDE Joy to the World   – Young