Olmsted Community Church

December 24, 2018 “To Be Christ to the World”

10:00 PM

†= those who are able please stand.

The people’s responses are printed in bold type.

PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
† CALL TO WORSHIP

Give thanks to God for the light has come:

A light in a dark stable, a light for darkened lives, a light which
shines in every place, the light of eternal truth.
Give thanks to God for the truth has come:
Truth that challenges the proud, truth that lifts up the lowly, truth
that bring justice and hope. The truth of eternal life.
Give thanks to God for the life has come:
The life of God in a new born child, life vulnerable and precious, life
which conquers death’s power, the new life of the Kingdom of God.
Give thanks to God for the King has come:
A King who brings peace, a King who brings healing, a King who
shares our weakness, a gentle King whose name is love.
Lord Jesus Christ, whose coming sets us free, let your light shine in us, your
truth change us, your life renew us that we may worship you as the Holy
Child of Christmas and the King of Heaven.

† HYMN # 249 O Come, All Ye Faithful verses 1 & 2

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
ANTHEM See Amid The Winter’s Snow Keil
INTRODUCTION TO ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
 FIRST ANGEL Luke 1:11-20 The angel Gabriel tells Zachariah he is to have a
son. HYMN Angels We Have Heard on High 278 verses 1 & 3

SECOND ANGEL Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel tells Mary she
shall bear a child.
HYMN 251 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear verses 1 & 2

THIRD ANGEL Matthew 1:18-25 An angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream.
HYMN 259 Angels, from the Realms of Glory verses 1 & 5

FOURTH ANGEL Luke 2: 8-14 The angels visit the shepherds.

HYMN 277 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing verses 1 & 3

FIFTH ANGEL MATTHEW 2:1-12 The angel guides the Magi home another way.
HYMN 271 Joyful, Joyful We Adore You verses 1 & 2

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
ANTHEM Infant Holy, El Shaddai Thompson
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
The angels of God have spoken, to us a child is born. His ways shall be
the ways of peace
and of love. Our tithes and offerings are but a small gesture of our thanks
for this the
greatest gift of all. May we give with joy.

† CHRISTMAS DOXOLOGY tune: Angels We Have Heard on High

Praise and thanks we offer God, for the blessings we receive.
Grace and joy from heav’n above! Praise the One Eternal God:
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
† PRAYER OF DEDICATION
O God of this holy night, we have received such blessed gifts through your love, including
the gift of Christ into our lives. Accept now the humble offerings we give, in praise and
thanksgiving for your word made flesh. Amen.
RECEIVING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
As the lights dim, the light from the Christ Candle will be passed to those on
the aisle. Pass the light of Christ to the person next to you. For safety, tip
the unlighted candle into the lighted one.
† HYMN Silent Night

• 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, heavenly 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; Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
• Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; with the
angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the
Savior is born!
Candles are extinguished. The Christ Candle remains lit.
† BENEDICTION
† HYMN 270 Joy to the World! Verses 1,2,4
POSTLUDE