MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS EVETHE WORSHIP OF GOD

December 24, 201911:00 p.m. Sanctuary

Worship Order December 24, 2019v11:00 p.m.

+ Indicates an invitation to rise in body or spirit.

PRELUDE Suite of Carols Wilbur HeldKraig Windschitl, Organ

CHIMING OF THE HOUR

INTROIT Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Elizabeth Poston Chamber Singers

CALL TO WORSHIP Rustin Comer

+ OPENING HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful Blue #132 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. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory given!Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!Glory to God, glory in the highest. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

+ THE CHRISTMAS LITANY Rustin Comer Leader: God of glory, God of light, on this holy night of wonder, open us to receive the deep mystery of Your love; born in us, born among us, through Your son Jesus.

All: Open our ears to hear the triumphant songs of angels. Leader: Open our eyes to follow the brilliance of Your guiding star.

All: Open our hearts to behold the awe and reverence of the shepherds. Leader: Open our spirits to find the determination of the traveling magi.

All: Open us once again, O God, to receive the deep mystery of Your love born in Jesus, the Christ Child.

Leader: Alleluia! All: Amen!

+PASSING OF THE PEACE Rustin Comer

+ CAROL Joy to the World Blue #130

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 world! The Savior reigns; let earth her songs employ; Let fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Christ 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.

GREETING John Ross

ANTHEM Gloria, from Christmas Oratorio Camille Saint-Saens Chamber Singers

READING Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 John Hallberg

+ CAROL It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Blue #129 It came upon a 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.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low,Who toil along the climbing way, with painful steps and slow,Look now, for glad and golden hours, come swiftly on the wing;O rest beside the weary road, and hear the 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.

CHRISTMAS PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER Rustin Comer 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.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM When Christmas Morn is Dawning Kyle Pederson Chamber Singers

Our Christmas offering will go to the newly established Caring Community Fund to honor Rev. Lindy Purdy’s amazing legacy of care. This fund will advance and expand our pastoral care

ministries within the life of the church, and the community beyond. A generous gift honoring Lindy will match the first $50,000 of donations. If paying by check, include CCF in the memo.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Clergy

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

WORDS OF INSTITUTION We practice open communion. All are welcome at the table, which has been set for us by Christ. Let us prepare to receive the joyful feast of the people of God.

COMMUNION ANTHEM Still, Still, Still arr. Robert Hobby Chamber Singers

SHARING OF THE ELEMENTSAfter the Deacons have been served, ushers will invite each row to come to one of the communion stations. Each person will receive the bread from the server and dip it into the chalice held by another server. An appropriate response to the server’s words is “Amen.” After receiving communion, return to your seat by the side aisle. If you wish to be served where you are seated, indicate this to an usher and communion will be brought to you. A gluten-free bread option is available in the East Transept.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Rustin Comer

READING Luke 2:1-14 (KJV) Greta Hallberg

MEDITATION Breaking the Silence John Ross

ANTHEM O Holy Night Adolphe Adam Chamber Singers, Adam Fieldson, tenor

READING John 1:1-5 John Ross LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE The Hallberg Family

CAROL Silent Night, Holy Night Red #142

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, heavenly 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!

BENEDICTION John Ross

POSTLUDE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! BWV 729 J.S. Bach Kraig Windschitl, Organ

…The End of Worship, the Beginning of Service...

WORSHIP LEADERS Preacher Rev. Dr. John F. Ross Liturgist Rev. Rustin Comer Music Chamber Singers, Adam Reinwald, Director Kraig Windschitl, Principal Organist Deacon Barb Boulware Head Usher Laura Babcock