Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

December 26, 2021
Pastor Stacy Dickson
Worship

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Service of Worship

Prelude – Hani

The First Noel
Arr. John Stainer
Public Domain

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Opening Prayer

(credit: Leonard Sweet)

O come let us worship and lift our hearts . . .

Not because the world is good and last week was awesome,
but because the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,
the God of the whole Earth.

O come let us worship and raise our hands . . .

Not because our lives are all sweetness and light,
But because even those who walk in darkness
can see a great light,
the Bright and Morning Star

O come let us worship and bow down . . .
Not because God gives us what we want,
But because God gives us what we need –
the holy child Jesus, God’s Unspeakable Gift.

Opening Hymn — #240 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (v. 1, 3)

Video: Coastliners Quartet

1. 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 th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise us from of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)
Charles Wesley | Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Public Domain

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

(credit: Sam Hargreaves)

Jesus Christ, born in a stable,
Be with the poor and homeless this Christmas time.

As we pray, live and give;
shine your everlasting light.

(silent prayer)

Jesus Christ, born of Mary,
Be with young mothers across the world this Christmas time.

As we pray, live and give;
shine your everlasting light.

(silent prayer)

Jesus Christ, visited by Shepherds,
Be with all who have to work this Christmas,

and those who long to work.

As we pray, live and give;
shine your everlasting light.

(silent prayer)

Jesus Christ,
who became a refugee,
Be with those who fear for their lives,

and those who have left homes and families this Christmas.

As we pray, live and give;
shine your everlasting light.
Amen.

For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory — Coastliners Quartet Video

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria)
Edward Shippen Barnes | Austin C. Lovelace
Public Domain

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Unknown
Public Domain

Christmas Doxology

Glory be to God the Father,
glory be to Christ the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit,
glory to the Three-in-One.

Here we offer to you gladly
all the gifts that you impart,
as we glory in your Presense,
giving from a grateful heart.

Christmas Doxology
Brenda J Heard
© 2003 Brenda J Heard | United Methodist General Board of Discipleship
Used by Permission

Offertory Prayer

God of our salvation, we are still feeling the Christmas glow. Our heads are filled with the sounds and smells and memories of the joy and love and the stable and the baby in the manger. When we read about the twelve-year-old Jesus being left behind, we sometimes wish we didn’t have to head back into the world. As we make our last gifts of the year to you, Lord help us see the mission you’ve put before us. Bethlehem is just the beginning of our work! We pray it in the holy name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

Scripture Reading — John 1:1-5 (NRSV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,a and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Sermon — Pastor Stacy Dickson
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Closing Hymn — #234 O Come, All Ye Faithful (v. 1, 6, 3)

1. 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;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

6. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be
all glory given.
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:

Refrain

3. Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens
of heaven above!
Glory to God, all
glory in the highest;

Refrain

O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade
Public Domain

Benediction

Go from this place to be a shining light of Christ’s hope-filled message to this world. Allow others to see, even in the darkest of places, because of the faith that you have in the true message of Christmas. For God is with us, Christ is for us, and nothing can be against us. Amen.

Postlude – Hani