Gathering Music Elaine Barber, Harp

Lighting the Advent Wreath The McCutcheon Family

What are these candles for? This Advent wreath reminds us of God’s love in Jesus Christ. There are five candles. What are these candles for? This Advent wreath reminds us of God’s love in Jesus Christ. There are five candles.

We shall light a new candle each Sunday from now until Christmas. As we light our Advent candles, may they bring us together in the warm light of God’s love. We shall light a new candle each Sunday from now until Christmas. As we light our Advent candles, may they bring us together in the warm light of God’s love.

The Gospel of Luke tells what happened on the night when Jesus was born:

When the angels had left them,...the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see what has taken place, When the angels had left them,...the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see what has taken place,

which God has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15) In those days, shepherds didn’t count for much. which God has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15) In those days, shepherds didn’t count for much.

But God chose shepherds to welcome and honor Jesus. We light the Christ candle to praise Jesus Christ,

who comes to all of us, beginning with the least and the last.

Living Christ, give us faith to trust you, hope to follow you, love to live for you, wisdom to know you, and joy to adore you. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen Living Christ, give us faith to trust you, hope to follow you, love to live for you, wisdom to know you, and joy to adore you. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen

Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee O Israel.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heav'n adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin’s womb.

Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail, th' incarnate Deity: Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail! The heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail! The Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings

Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die!

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Almighty God, you have wondrously revealed yourself in the Holy Child of Bethlehem. By faith we kneel beside the manger-throne, Congregational Prayer

hoping that somehow he will be born in us here and now. For Jesus' sake, grant that we may share in a new birth of faith. Teach us to recognize your presence in our lives,

and bring us at the last to the realm of your glory, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Passing the Peace of Christ

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here. Please fill out the registration pads and pass them to the center aisle. We’re glad you’re here. Please fill out the registration pads and pass them to the center aisle.

Act of Praise “Chiquirriquitin” -Conrad Susa Elaine Barber, Harp “Chiquirriquitin” -Conrad Susa Elaine Barber, Harp

Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And 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. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid;

for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When 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.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this,

they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Message The Gift of Presence Rev. Lynn Barton The Gift of Presence Rev. Lynn Barton

Offering

Offertory

We Become One Body

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Receiving the Bread and Cup

In the bleak midwinter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

snow had fallen, snow on snow, in the bleak mid-winter, long ago. snow had fallen, snow on snow, in the bleak mid-winter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss. but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart. if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

O little town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth! O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

While Shepherds Watched While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,

the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around, and glory shone around. the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around, and glory shone around.

"Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind. "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all of humankind, to all of humankind. "Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind. "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all of humankind, to all of humankind.

"To you, in David's town, this day is born of David's line a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign: "To you, in David's town, this day is born of David's line a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign:

"The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid, and in a manger laid." "The heavenly babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid, and in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God on high, who thus addressed their song, who thus addressed their song: Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God on high, who thus addressed their song, who thus addressed their song:

"All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; good will henceforth from heaven to earth begin and never cease, begin and never cease!" "All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; good will henceforth from heaven to earth begin and never cease, begin and never cease!"

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear It came upon the 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.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world;

above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

O 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 seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold,

When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendor fling And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

Candle Lighting & Going Forth John’s Gospel says about Jesus Christ that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” As candlelight surrounds us, lit from the one light of Christ, so may we reflect Christ's light and love in the world.

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, Heav’nly 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

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, Heav’nly 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

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, Heav’nly 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

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, Heav’nly 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

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, Heav’nly 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

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, Heav’nly 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