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December 25, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009 Bulletin
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 11:00 a.m., December 25, 2009
Christmas Day
Prelude Carols Celine Sidharta, violin
Litany (read responsively) Pastor Horner
Christmas is a time to proclaim.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We proclaim a hope that is stronger than any trial.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We proclaim a victory that is stronger than any defeat.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We proclaim a peace that is stronger than any conflict.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We proclaim a freedom that is stronger than any bondage.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Lighting of the Candles - The Kain Family
This morning we light all of the candles. The first candle reminds us that Advent is a time to wait upon the Lord with faithful endurance. The second candle reminds us that Advent is a time to watch for God’s presence with hopeful expectation. The third candle reminds us that Advent is a time to prepare for the Lord in heart, soul and mind. The fourth candle reminds us that the One we wait for, watch
for, and prepare for is Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, meaning God is with us. Today we light the last candle; the Christ candle. This candle reminds us that we are to proclaim the message of Christmas by celebrating what Christ has done, and by sharing it with others. As the light from each candle fills this room, so may the Light of Christ fill our world!
Prayer
God in heaven, we thank you for guiding us through our Advent journey. Through waiting, watching, preparing, and praising, we are now ready to proclaim. Help us receive the glory of Christmas, as we celebrate and rejoice that you have come to us through the gift of Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
Hymn # 24 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
(Christmas Hymnal)
Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed (In Unison) Ron Smith
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.
Begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
Special Music O Jesu My Joy
Christmas Day Choir
Prayer for Illumination Ron Smith
Scripture: Luke 2: 8 - 20 Ron Smith
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”15When 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.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Lector: “This is the Word of God.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God for His Word.”
Hymn # 11 O Little Town of Bethlehem
(Christmas Hymnal)
Sermon “Recognizing the Holy” Pastor Horner
Hymn # 13 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
(Christmas Hymnal)
Benediction
Postlude
An offering basket is available in the Narthex for alms.
The art of keeping Christmas
by Wilferd Peter in
The New Book of the Art of Living
How can we best keep Christmas?
By sinking the shafts of our spirits deep beneath the sparkling tinsel of the surface of Christmas and renewing within us the radiance of the inner meaning of the season.
By following the Star on an inward journey to Bethlehem to stand again in awe and wonder before the babe in a manger.
By rediscovering the faith and simplicity of a little child, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
By being still and listening to the angels sing within our hearts.
By quietly evaluating our lives according to the Master’s standards as set forth in the Sermon on the Mount.
By reaffirming the supremacy of the spirit in man’s conquest of himself.
By rededicating ourselves to the Master’s ideals of peace, brotherhood and good will…..
By resolving to give ourselves away to others in love, joy and devotion.
Posted by faithpres at December 25, 2009 09:06 AM