December 25 – Christmas – Christ is Born!

May God bless today’s worship as we celebrate God’s Christmas gift to the world–the Promised Messiah. Merry Christmas from all of us at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.

As always, you are more than welcome to join us at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Christmas morning, at Ivy Chapel. You may also watch our worship services anytime on YouTube.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Selected Christmas Music – Kathryn Kuntzman, Cello

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Sing of God’s glory!
All: Shout praises to God, all the earth!
One: Celebrate!
All: Let’s rejoice; for God is our life and our salvation! Christ is born!

*HYMN – O Come, All Ye Faithful – #188

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.

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

God from true God, and
Light of Light begotten,
Lo , He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: [Refrain]

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of light, we praise you for giving us the gift of Jesus Christ! We are here in your sanctuary filled with wonder and delight that you have come to humankind as a newborn child! Thank you, God, for being with us on this day of birth and rebirth. We are grateful for and humbled by your presence among us this Christmas morning.
Gracious, Joyful Spirit; you fill our hearts with renewed hope and joy. We worship you, for you bless souls everywhere with the Light of Christ. Glory to you in the highest, O God! Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE CHRIST CANDLE

*RESPONSE – Away in a Manger – #213

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till 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.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 98:1-4 • Isaiah 9:2-7

CHRIST IS BORN

RESPONSIVE READING – THE SAVIOR’S ADVENT – #639, Luke 2:8-20

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING – We will sing the first TWO verses of each selected carol.
Enter your requests into the YouTube chat and we’ll try to get to you, too.

*RESPONSIVE PRAYER

Voice One: Radiant Child, On this Christmas day, we pray for peace to fill us,
as the waters renew a dry and desolate landscape
Voice Two: How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace!
Voice One: Radiant Child, on this Christmas day, we pray for hope to guide us forward,
making a way where the path is rocky.
Voice Two: All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God!
Voice One: Radiant Child, on this Christmas Day, we pray for joy to uplift us, carrying us on the swift currents of laughter and community.
Voice Two: Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices; together they shout for joy!
Voice One: Radiant Child, on this Christmas Day, we pray for love to surround us, as the comforting and loving embrace of a trusted friend.
Voice Two: For the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Voice One: Peace, Hope, Joy and Love!
May they fill, guide, uplift, and surround us now and always. Amen!

*HYMN – Joy to the World! – #194

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry 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.

Joy to the earth, 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.

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.

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.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Joy to the World – Hustad

December 24 – Christmas Eve – Christ is Born!

Peace on Earth! Goodwill to all! Christ the Savior is born! We are honored you have chosen to spend this special moment with Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. On this day, and on all days, we send our best wishes to you and yours.

Tonight’s offering gifts will be given to the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund.

As always, you can join us on our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/fWagThvuqI4

We will be celebrating communion this evening, so if you are with us from home, be sure to gather the elements prior to worship.

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Rejoice this night!
All: God above has come to earth!
One: Jesus has come to bring light and life to all people.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

*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 field 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]

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

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE CHRIST CANDLE

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
God Emmanuel, candlelight is an ideal symbol of your love. You are as reliable as a steadily burning candle flame. Your light overcomes darkness. As a candle provides light, you offer light to all people. You are the Savior of the whole world! People all over the world rejoice on this night, celebrating your birth as the Christ Child. For generations, people have marveled at this miracle, and your holy birth will amaze people forever. Tonight, we worship you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Emmanuel – #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

*CHRISTMAS PRAYER
O God, so tender and mild; two thousand years ago, you displayed the full extent of your love for all people by coming to life as a human being – Jesus, our brother, kind and good. This night, O God, we ask that you revive within us your image – your holiness.
Our Lord Emmanuel, you are full of surprises! While the world tempts us to focus on flashiness, you are constantly appearing in out-of-the-way places among ordinary people. Earthly life can be loud and hectic. Yet, above this world’s noise, the songs of your angels still resound. Above this world’s frenzy, the night sky remains tranquil. Your stars serenely shine.
Just as you calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee, you are the One who calms any and all turmoil in our lives. God Emmanuel, help us not to be afraid. Tonight, may all your children live without fear and receive your great joy: Christ is born! Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Breath of Heaven (Sue Wilson, Vocalist) – Eaton/Grant

PROPHECY

BEYOND US

SETTING OUT FOR BETHLEHEM

WHISPERS OF ETERNITY

FROM THE SILENT HILLSIDES

NEWBORN SAVIOR

SPECIAL MUSIC – Who Would Imagine a King? (Valerie Waterman, Vocalist) – Warren/Hill

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

*The Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
God Emmanuel, thank you for welcoming us this Christmas Eve as guests at your table. Here in this sacred place, you have drawn us into Holy Communion with you and with one another. Being in true communion with one another is being joined together by your steadfast love.
Wherever we are, you are the very breath of life within us, O Holy One. Your miracles amaze us! We praise you for bringing us together tonight to celebrate your birth.
Christ Jesus, may our lives faithfully give away the grace that we receive from you as “a little child who leads us” – the Christ Child. Amen.

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN – Silent Night – #189

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,
Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

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.

A Blessed Christmas