A Night Like No Other

Though we don’t know the exact time of day Jesus was born, it was at night that an angel appeared to the shepherds in the fields below Bethlehem. We talk about Christmas in many different ways, from when Santa Claus visits all the households in the world to Jesus’ birthday. But God coming into our world as a human being is the BIG event that happened on the night we celebrate Jesus’ birth. There is no salvation without Christmas. No Good Friday. No Easter morning. No Pentecost and Christians having the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. God becoming one of us was God’s plan from the beginning (see John, 1:1-14). This is the greatest miracle of all, and that’s why this is a night unlike any other night.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: “Still, Still, Still”, Graham Twist, and “Chorale Prelude on “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen””, Alejandro D. Consolacion II

Welcome

Christmas Prayer

Choral Introit: “Merry Christmas, One and All”, Romanian Carol arr. by Norman Luboff, Bell accompany arr. by Alex Bootzin

Gathering Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

First Reading: God Promises a King, Isaiah 9:2,6

Hymn of Response: “What Child is This?”

Second Reading: The Good News of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, Luke 2:1-7

Choir Anthem: “Child in the Manger”, Celtic carol arr. by John Rutter

Third Reading: The Good News of Christmas to the shepherds in the fields. Luke 2:8-14

Hymn of Response: “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Fourth Reading: The Good News of Christmas, the shepherds go to meet Jesus, Luke 2:15-20

Christmas Message: “A Night Like No Other”, Pastor Kevin Murphy

Hymn of Response: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Christmas Offering and Offertory: “Manger Medley”

Offering Response

The Great Thanksgiving

The Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer

Distribution of Communion,

Hymn: “Lo, How a Rose is Growing”

Post Communion Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Silent Night”

Postlude on “A Child is Born in Bethlehem”, Natalia Jespersen