"Tis Better To Show Than To Tell"

WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
“Good news of great joy,” the angel said,
“for to you a savior is born.”
“Peace on earth,” the choir sang,
“for God reigns in the highest.”
“Follow me,” the star beckoned,
“For Hope was born in Bethlehem.” 
As we light the Christ candle,
we watch for the Christmas story around us.
Emmanuel has come and is coming.
Come, all ye faithful, and worship God.

*CALL TO CONTINUING WORSHIP
In the holy darkness of this night,
amid labor pains and newborn cries,
angel songs and tremors of fear,
tears of relief and looks of amazement,
our Savior takes his first breath.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to us.

*HYMN 113 ||| Angels We Have Heard On High ||| Gloria

CALL TO CONFESSION
God came into a broken world, and we know all too well the ways it is still broken and hurting. Let us confess the ways we have done harm, that we may be part of the healing.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Emmanuel, you have given us a gift that we can never deserve. You do not ask us to be worthy. You do not ask us to earn your love. Yet the ways we have fallen short threaten to overtake us. But we know we can come to you, even on this holiest of nights, to seek the forgiveness you offer so freely, grateful for your mercy.
(silent prayer)
Amen.

*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all! With Christ’s birth comes forgiveness and redemption. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

*THE GLORIA 581

MOMENT WITH OUR CHILDREN ||| Rev. Matt Lang

WELCOME AND CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING ||| Isaiah 9:2-7
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness —on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

SPECIAL CHORAL MUSIC ||| Bethlehem ||| Lloyd Larson
(Sung by the Combined Choirs of Calvary & Homewood Presbyterian)
 
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING ||| Luke 2:1-20
1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!

SERMON ||| "Tis Better To Show Than To Tell" ||| Rev. Matt Lang

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN 118 ||| While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks ||| Christmas

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ||| The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Rejoicing in the birth of Christ our Savior, we give to God what we first received from God, the gifts of our lives.
 
CHORAL OFFERTORY ||| Go Tell It On the Mountain ||| Mark Patterson
(Sung by the Combined Choirs of Calvary & Homewood Presbyterian)

*DOXOLOGY 606 Old Hundredth
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
For the blessings of this and all our days, we thank you, gracious God. Accept, we pray, not just this money but also our lives freely offered in gratitude for all you have done for us. Use them both, in this place and wherever you might take us. Amen.

SEALING OF THE WORD

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
…Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
 
WORDS OF INSTITUTION  ||| SHARING OF THE MEAL
All who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, regardless of age or denomination, are invited to partake in the Sacrament of Communion. Please come forward down the side aisle. Take a piece of the bread and a cup and eat. Please dispose of the cups in the waste baskets by the table. We have gluten free bread available. Return to your seat by the center aisle.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We sing a new song to you, Lord. Through this bread and wine we receive your joy. All of creation praises you, joining with glad voices to share the good news of Christ’s saving birth. We give thanks for the Word you first sang, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN 122 ||| Silent Night, Holy Night! ||| Stille Nacht

BLESSING & CHARGE
The loving kindness of the Lord our God, the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior, and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Alleluia!
Go and tell this good news of great joy: to us a Savior is born.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Rev. Matt Lang, Pastor
Mrs. Mary Ann Wenzelman, Interim Organist/Pianist

Worship Liturgist: David Wenzelman
Usher: Laura Dillman
Web Technicians: Shirley Armistead, Nancy Beaudoin, Phil Dillman, Kathie Hazlett