The Christmas Story

December 18, 2022
Children
Worship

Service of Worship

Gesu Bambino
Pietro A. Yon
Public Domain

Almighty God, Light of the World, you caused light to shine out of darkness in the advent of Jesus our Christ; you constantly open to us the ways we are to prepare. We confess our unwillingness to see the light and to walk in your ways. We have not always opened our eyes to the needs of others, and our feet have wandered from the paths of justice and peace. We ask that the Spirit of Christ be born anew within us, that our hearts be stirred to glorify the nativity with acts of compassion and service. Amen.

(Mary Ann Neevel, Bread for the Journey, edited by Ruth Duck, Pilgrim Press, 1981)

Lighting the Advent Candle

Opening Hymn — #234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

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.

2. True God of true God,
Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

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

Refrain

4. See how the shepherds,
summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

Refrain

O Come, All Ye Faithful
C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade
Public Domain

The Sacrament of Baptism — The United Methodist Hymnal, p. 39

Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?

With God’s help we will proclaim the good news
and live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround these persons
with a community of love and forgiveness,
that they may grow in their service to others.
We will pray for them.
that they may be true disciples
who walk in the way that leads to life.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
[who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.]

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
[the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.]

Members of the household of God,
I commend these persons to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith,
confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

We give thanks for all that God has already given you
and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you
in the body of Christ
and in this congregation
of The United Methodist Church,
we renew our covenant
faithfully to participate
in the ministries of the church
by our prayers, our presence,
our gifts, and our service,
that in everything God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ.

Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, 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, the power, and glory forever. 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 – Hani

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Arr. Robert W. Thygerson
© 2000 Lorenz Publishing Corporation
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

Holy God of hope and promise: when the children were in deep despair, you promised them a sign, the indication of a Savior coming into their midst. As we bring you our tithes and offerings this day, so many of us are discouraged, trying to find our way. We need your sign, we need your Son, not as simply a reminder of history but as a new direction, a revolution of love that starts in our hearts, a resurrection of compassion that looks beyond self and the accumulation of more and more things that don’t satisfy. We need what only a Savior can give us. Guide us by your signs on this day and as we begin the journey to Bethlehem once again. In the Savior’s name, we pray. Amen.

(Isaiah 7:10-16)

Anthem — Chancel Choir

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley | Allen Koepke
Belwin Mills Publishing Company
Used by Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420

Sunday School Christmas Pageant: The Christmas Story