December 29 — God’s Long-Awaited Gift

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Christ is born!

Our apologies, we are still having problems with our streaming computer and will be unable to share worship online until further notice.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep — Ritter

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Ann Molyneaux
One: Sing of God’s glory!
All: Shout praises to God, all the earth!
One: Celebrate!
All: We rejoice; for God is our light and our salvation! 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]

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

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Ann Molyneaux
God Emmanuel, we gather in your holy name to worship you. Your works declare your greatness!
Wise and Eternal God, you are sovereign over all the earth. You are the One True God who has wisdom beyond all human ability to comprehend. Yet, through your birth as Christ Jesus, you reveal yourself to us.
Wondrous God, you are with us! We have heard the promises of your prophets and the songs of your angels. We have seen your star in the sky, and we have followed this miraculous spotlight to your humble birthplace. We have come to be with you, because you have come to be with us.
Today, we echo your angels, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God’s people on earth.” Amen.

*RESPONSE — Good Christian Men, Rejoice — #214

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ was born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath oped the heav’nly door, And man is blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice!
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 148 — Ann Molyneaux

SPECIAL MUSIC — Away in a Manger — Cotter

RESPONSIVE READING — The Savior’s Advent (Luke 2:8-20) — #639

SERMON — Pastor Dan

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING
We will sing the first TWO verses of each selected carol.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Pastor Dan
Pastoral Prayer and the Prayer of Jesus (debts… debtors)

*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.

*RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
One: In a lowly stable, the Son of God is born.
All: God Most High comes down to earth.
One: No one except God would have imagined doing this!
All: Go, tell it on the mountain! Jesus Christ is born!

*POSTLUDE — Joy to the World — Young

Dec. 27 Livestream

On the First Sunday after Christmas, we have traditionally invited members to request their favorite carols to sing in church.

Watch the service and the requested hymns here:

Here’s this week’s order for worship:

Prelude – Abby Foehrkolb

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Sing of God’s glory!
All: Shout to God, all the earth!
One: Rejoice!
All: Christ is born!

Hymn – “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” – #191

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of steadfast love, you are with us! We have heard the promise
of the prophets. We have rejoiced at the melody of angels’ songs. We have seen
your star in the heavens. We have followed your star to a humble birthplace.
Christ Jesus, we have come to be with you, because you have come to be with us. This morning, may hope and joy fill our lives, as we echo your angels, proclaiming,
“Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God’s people on earth.” Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan
– The Advent Candles and the Christ Candle

Response – “Angels We Have Heard on High” – #206
Verse 1 ONLY

Children’s Message – Ashton Wilson

Scripture Readings – Psalm 148, Isaiah 61:10-62:3 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – O Holy Night (arr. Dan Coates) – Abby Foehrkolb

Responsive Reading – “The Savior’s Advent” Luke 2:8-20 – #639

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you goodness of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign toy: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with he angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for al the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Virtual Hymn Sing

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Abby Foehrkolb