May you and your loved ones be blessed with

joy, love, peace, and happiness!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Service

December 24, 2017

Prelude: “Sheep May Safely Graze” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Joye Steven Chen, Cello

Welcome, Mside Moment, and Offertory Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Jack Dodds

Offertory Music: “O Holy Night”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adolph Adam Robert Mitchell, Tenor

Doxology No. 253 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

A FESTIVAL

OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

Processional Carol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Once in Royal David’s City” Verse 1: Emma Pittman, Soprano Verses 2-4: Congregation

Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall: with the poor, and meek, and lowly lived on earth our Savior holy. And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heav'n above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see Him, but in heaven, set at God’s right hand on high; when like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around. Words: Cecil F. Alexander Music: Henry J. Gauntlett CCLI License # 481594

LESSON ONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Steven Owensby

God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent's head. Genesis 3:8-19 (NIV)

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, “I greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Rev. Owensby: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol No. 292: “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” (Verses 1-2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Congregation LESSON TWO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Jack Dodds

God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 22: 15-18 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Rev. Dodds: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Alexander, Tenor

Ministers on Call

December 24-24, January 4-5

Steven Owensby, 590-7985

December 25, 29-31, January 1

Robert Mitchell, 597-3966

December 26, January 2, 6-7

Freida Cole, 884-4793

January 3

Steve Kibbe, 494-1472

Deacon Ministry Team

December 25-31 Kingsley Emerson Bobby Holcombe

Jim Poole

January 1-7 Jerry Easler Tony Shaw

Charles Wyatt

Worship Child Care Babies - Age 3

December 24 Ellie Baquiran, Worker Needed

December 31

Barbara Brown, Martha Allen

No Kids Worship Today Children will remain in the Sanctuary.

Kids Worship Sunday, December 31

Room 102 Age 4 - Grade 2

Reception Desk December 24 Sharon Childers

December 31 Regina Ray

Sunday, December 24

Worship Service .......................... 9:30

Monday, December 25 Church Office Closed

Tuesday, December 26 Church Office Closed

Wednesday, December 27-29 Youth Leave for Gatlinburg

No Evening Activities

Thursday, December 28

Friday, December 29 Church Office Closed

Prayer Warriors ........................... 9:30

~ ~ ~ ~

Next Week

Sunday, December 31

Worship Service .......................... 9:30

Kids Worship after Anthem

Bible Study ................................ 10:45

Monday, January 1 Church Office Closed

January Adult Bible Studies

Sign up in Sunday School Classes

All Adults - A Life Beyond Amazing

Begins Sunday, January 14

6:00 P.M. Youth Room

Women - What Love Is

Begins Tuesday, January 16

9:30 A.M. Youth Room

Calendar Serving

Total Returned to God December 17:

$79,328.40

Weekly Needs: $19,569.47

Total Mortgage Balance: $947,342.97

The Financial Report for today and December 31

will appear in the January 7 Worship Guide.

Rev. Dodds: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol: “What Child Is This?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan McClure, Soprano; Malcolm McClure, Tenor

LESSON NINE AND THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Owensby The season for watching and waiting has ended. The people who walked in darkness have seen a

great light, the light of the world, which darkness cannot extinguish. We light the final candle, the

Christ candle, to remind us that the Savior is born! Please stand for Lesson Nine.

John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. John 1 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God: his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Rev. Owensby: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol No. 89: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregation Benediction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Steven Owensby Organ Postlude: “Angel Tidings” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Joye

LESSON THREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Kibbe

The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior. Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (KJV) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Steve Kibbe: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sanctuary Choir

LESSON FOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Freida Cole

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. Isaiah 11:1-4, 6-9 (NIV)

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of the knowledge and of fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Rev. Cole: The Word of God for the people of God. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyful Sounds

LESSON FIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Mitchell

The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-35, 38 (NIV) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the House of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Robert Mitchell: The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

Carol: “The Wexford Carol”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Delanie Collings, Soprano

LESSON SIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Cole

Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:1, 3-7 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Rev. Cole: The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

Carol: “Away in a Manger”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sanctuary Choir Steven Chen, Cello

LESSON SEVEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Kibbe

The shepherds go to the manger. Luke 2:8-16 (KJV)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Steve Kibbe: The Word of God for the people of God.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

Carol: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orchestra

LESSON EIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dodds

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.