Celebrating Life through Divine Worship

Christmas Day

December 25, 2011

The time of centering: 

The Christ child changed the world forever, and He can do the same for us.  On this Christmas day, we, like the shepherds of old, are called to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.  May we, like those shepherds, leave our fields – wherever they may be – and pause to worship God’s priceless Christmas gift: the Light of the World, the Prince of Peace.                                                  

PRELUDE   Worship begins as the chimes sound

ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT

 INVOCATION                                                                           E. Lee Phillips

God of Creation and Incarnation, make known your will this Christmas that as your children we may reflect the nativity light of Bethlehem, even the Light of the world, Christ Jesus, that never dims.  Amen                                              

WELCOME

PRAISE SONGS                               "Good Christian Friends Rejoice"

                                                                     "Go Tell it on the Mountain"

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                 

LEADER: People of God: shout and sing! Tell the good news of peace on earth. Lord, bring us today into Christ’s peace. All God’s people shout:

PEOPLE:  Amen!

 LEADER:  Angels dance and the bright star shines. All creation bows to the Lord of all. Lord, bring us today into Christ’s light. All God’s people shout
PEOPLE:   Amen!

LEADER:   One with us, yet born to save, he will show us the way to God.

Lord, bring us today into Christ’s love. All God’s people shout:
PEOPLE:   Amen!
LEADER: People of God: shout and sing:

PEOPLE:   Amen!

ALL:   Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

TIME OF PRAYER

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

SPECIAL MUSIC     “Where are you Christmas?”  Madelyn Knutter

OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING                                                                                          

Offering           

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

HYMN OF PREPARATION                       "What Child is This" 219

                                                                                                                                                                       SCRIPTURE                Isaiah 60:1, Luke 2:11, Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV

SERMON                                                                “Child of the Light”                                                        

UNISON READING

I believe in Christmas. I believe that God sends light into the dark
corners of our lives. I am a shepherd, startled to hear the good news of the angels, but eager to go and see for myself. I am Mary, aware that somehow God is using me to accomplish things too big to imagine. I am Joseph, not understanding fully that which God calls me to do, but following as faithfully as I can. I am the innkeeper, busy and frazzled, but making some room, somehow, for God to be born. I am the Wiseman, on a journey of discovery, bearing my gift to be given to glorify God. And yes, I am the angel, proclaiming in my own life, the glorious good news that God has come into the world and we shall never be the same. Today and throughout the year to come, I will proclaim that Christ is born, that Christmas is here, that God is with us! Amen.

*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH       "Joy to the World" (V1 & 4) 246

TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

BENEDICTION

Let us rejoice with Mary in the Good News of her son.
Let us look with Joseph to our future hopes.
Let us give with the wise ones to Jesus who saves.
Let us sing with the angels a new and glorious song
Go in peace, then, to love and serve the God of Light. 

Go forth, child of the Light!  Amen.

POSTLUDE

*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk