CHRISTMAS EVE 2018 December 24, 11:00 P.M.

PRELUDE Good Christian Folk, Rejoice J. S. Bach John Gearhart, Organist

Candlelight Carol arr. John Rutter Sanctuary Choir

Dr. Terry Morris, Director of Traditional Music

THE GATHERING Rev. Andy Nixon

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL It Came Upon the Midnight Clear arr. John RutterIt came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophet-bards foretold, When, with the ever-circling years Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

SCRIPTURE LESSON Deborah Nixon John 1:1-5, 14, 16

CHORAL CAROL What Child is This? arr. John Rutter Myah Lerch, Soloist

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, 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 hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES The Christ Candle The Newman Family Reader: Jesus is the light of the world, the lamb of God, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. All: Jesus is for those who walk in darkness. Reader: Jesus is for those who have waited and longed and looked for him to come.

All: Jesus is for those who do not yet know his name. Reader: Jesus is for the whole world. Do you have Jesus? All: We are the people of Jesus! Reader: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Lord, whose birth we celebrate tonight! All: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Lord and pray that he will be born again in us.

SUNG RESPONSE What Child is This? #219 Refrain

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing, Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The babe, the son of Mary.

SCRIPTURE LESSON Rev. Brandi Horton Matthew 1:18-25

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL Infant Holy, Infant Lowly #229 Infant holy, infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all; Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you; Christ the babe was born for you.

CHRIST’S INVITATION Rev. Brandi Horton Leader: Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sins and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sins before God and one another. People: Merciful God, we confess that we have not always loved You with our whole hearts. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done Your will; we have broken Your law; we have rebelled against Your love; we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Leader: Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL The First Nowell arr. John Rutter The first Nowell, the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell! Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east, beyond them far. And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.

Repeat Refrain

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord. That hath made heaven and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Repeat Refrain

CHRISTMAS OFFERING PRAYER Rev. Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins

OFFERTORY CAROL O Holy Night arr. John Rutter Sanctuary Choir; Cynthia Douglas, Soloist

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night divine, O night divine.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand; So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from the Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger;

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King; before Him bend.

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His Name, all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord, then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim.

His power and glory ever, evermore proclaim.

*SCRIPTUREIsaiah 9:2-7

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Rev. Andy Nixon Think Again: Do You Have Jesus?

GREAT THANKSGIVING

SHARING OF COMMUNION You are invited to come forward to take communion. For those who may have difficulty coming to the altar to take communion, or if you prefer a gluten free communion wafer, please notify one of our ushers.

COMMUNION MUSIC See, Amid the Winter’s Snow arr. Dan Forrest Sanctuary Choir

Alleluia, Alleluia. See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below, See the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn, hail redemption’s happy dawn, Sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Alleluia, Alleluia.

Lo, within a manger lies He who built the lofty skies, He who throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn, hail redemption’s happy dawn, Sing throughout Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Alleluia, Alleluia.

Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, Thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this, Hail thou ever blessed morn, hail redemption’s happy dawn,

Sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Alleluia, Alleluia.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13

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SCRIPTURE LESSON Rev. Ann Spears Luke 2:1-20

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Please tilt unlit candles to receive the flame from your neighbor.

Then please hold your candle upright as you pass the flame.

*CANDLELIGHT CAROL Silent Night arr. Mark Hayes 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, Son of God, 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.

Silent night, holy night, fill our hearts with Thy light. In the darkness may we shine With the promise of love divine; Light of heaven on earth, light of heaven on earth.

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

Choir Only The Savior is born.

SENDING FORTH

POSTLUDE

Rev. Andy Nixon

J. S. Bach Good Christian Folk, Rejoice John Gearhart, Organist

*Please stand if you are able.

STRING QUARTET Viola

Christine Elston Violin

Erica Robinson Linda Sanders

Cello Wendy Smith-Butler

POINSETTIAS If you purchased poinsettias in honor or in memory of a loved one, you may pick them up after the 11:00 a.m. service on December 30.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR CANDLES AND RED HOLDERS TO THE BINSOUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY DOORS AT THE CONCLUSION OF WORSHIP.