Hymn Sing
Christmas Songbook
# 24 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - vs. 1, 2, 4
# 8 How Great Our Joy - vs. 1, 2
Insert - O Holy Night
Call to Worship - Candle Lighting Ward Family
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
The LORD says to his servant,
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
That my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
— Isaiah 49:6, NRSV
Come, Lord Jesus, our light and our salvation.
Let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Hymn # 347 Angels We Have Heard on High (Gray Psalter Hymnal)
Psalter 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Please read responsively) Michael Bergmann
2 Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.
2“There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
4The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.
5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.
8He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
9“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail.
10The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”
Prayer for Illumination
Epistle Reading Hebrews 1 (NRSV)
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”?
Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.”
8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10And, “In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, And your years will never end.”
13But to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
14Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation: Thanks be to God for His Word.
Choral Anthem: Angel’s Carol
Have you heard the sound of the angel voices
Ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear
Have you seen the star shining out so brightly
As a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here
Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven
To the humble shepherds who have waited long
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Hear the angels sing their joyful song
He is come in peace in the winter stillness
Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night
He is come in joy like the sun at morning
Filling all the world with radiance and with light
He is come in love as a child of Mary
In a simple stable we have seen his birth
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Hear the angels singing peace on earth
He will bring new light to a world in darkness
Like a bright star shining in the skies above
He will bring new hope to the waiting nations
When he comes to reign in purity and love
Let the earth rejoice at the Savior's coming
Let the heavens answer with a joyful morn
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Hear the angels singing Christ is born
Children’s Sermon
Hymn # 31 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (Christmas Songbook)
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Sermon “How Can This Be?” Pastor Andrew Winter
