+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Good and gracious God, on this holy day You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy day draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing Your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the One for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“O Come let us adore Him” – Hillsong
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Reading: Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
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Intercessory Prayer
Friends in Christ, let us join together to ask God to fill the whole world with His Light. We pray especially –
+ For all who celebrate the birth of Christ around the world, that He may bring new, refreshing, Light into our lives….
+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence, that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels come quickly….
+ For all families and children who are destitute, that we may respond generously with help and hope….
+ For all who are lost and lonely, that we may find them and comfort them with the Good News – “God with them” has come….
+ For all who are sick and dying, that we may bring healing and the Good News of eternal life….
+ For our neighbors and families, that Christ may receive a warm welcome among us….
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially since last Christmas, that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs…..
Maker of heaven and earth, Your Son is born for us, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: hear our prayers through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
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“Born is the King” – Hillsong
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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13
The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people; therefore let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – looking forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father: Prepare our hearts to enter into the joy and wonder of Christmas. Shine your Light into our darkness; and remind us of those Christ Jesus came to seek and save – the poor and helpless… the cold and hungry… the sick and those who mourn… the lonely and unloved… the persecuted and oppressed… and all lost souls everywhere. Make us a Light to the nations, that we may bring the Good News of peace and goodwill through Christ Jesus our Lord into every corner of the whole world. All to your honor and glory. Amen.
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“Once in Royal David’s City” – King’s College Cambridge 2010
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Isaiah 9:2–7 (NLT)
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
“O Come O Come Emmanuel” – Enya
Micah 5:2-4 (NLT)
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world.
“When Love Came Down to Earth” – Kristyn Getty, Margaret Becker, Joanne Hogg
Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT)
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
“Joseph’s Song” – Gabe Hughes
Luke 2:8–16 (NLT)
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” – Sissel Kyrkjebø
John 1:1-5, 10-14 (NLT)
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it….
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
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“Joy to the World” – Northern Ireland Flashmob
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Blessing
Through the incarnation of His Son God has scattered the darkness of the world, and by Christ’s glorious birth, which angels announced to the shepherds, has brightened this most holy night. May the God of infinite goodness banish the darkness of sin from our hearts and make them radiant with the light of His goodness.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Here in our midst, O God of mystery, You disclose the secret hidden for countless ages. For You we wait, for You we listen. Upon hearing Your voice may we, like Mary, embrace Your will and become a dwelling fit for Your Word. Grant this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Gabriel’s Message” – Jars of Clay
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Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
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Intercessory Prayer
Gracious God: Your steadfast love endures forever; hear our prayers as we present our needs to You –
+ For all who profess faith in Christ, that with open hearts we may welcome our Savior….
+ For the Jewish people, descendants of King David, that Your promises to them may be fulfilled….
+ For all people of goodwill, that we may grow in kindness and respect for each other….
+ For all who lack faith and courage, that we may be inspired by Mary’s trust in God….
+ For family and friends coming home for Christmas, that we may travel safely and find rest….
+ For all who have suffered grief or illness in 2017, that we may support them in their sorrow….
+ For all who have gone before us in faith, that they may receive a joyous welcome in heaven….
Gracious God, Your steadfast love endures forever: hear us and help us, as we wait expectantly for the glorious return of Christ Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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“Almost There” – Amy Grant w/ Michael W Smith
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Blessing – Romans 16:25-27 (NLT)
Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
O God, most high and most near, You send glad tidings to the lowly, You do not hide Your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness You call into the Light.
Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of Your Son, we may recognize Him in our midst and find joy in His saving presence.
We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Gaudete” – Steeleye Span
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Reading: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NLT)
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
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This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
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Intercessory Prayer
Generous God: You supply all our needs, filling the hungry with good things. Hear our prayers –
+ For all the world, that the birth of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, may bring hope….
+ For all who follow Jesus Christ, that they may experience joy at this time of year….
+ For all who are brokenhearted, that they may receive His healing and comfort….
+ For all who are victims of violence, that they may experience compassion and deliverance….
+ For all who are displaced and dispossessed, that they may receive help and hope….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may rejoice in Your presence forever….
Generous God: Your loving-kindness and mercy embrace the entire world; hear our prayers as we joyfully await the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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“Wait for the Lord” – Taize
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Blessing – Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
With tender comfort and transforming power You come into our midst, O God of mercy and might. Make ready a way in the wilderness, clear a straight path in our hearts, and form us into a repentant people, that the advent of Your Son may find us watchful and eager for the glory He reveals. We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Prepare Ye The Way” – Michael W. Smith
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Reading:Mark 1:1-8 (NLT)
This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
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Intercessory Prayer
Lord God of heaven and earth, we eagerly await the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Prepare us to welcome Him, we pray –
+ For a spirit of repentance among all believers….
+ For peace with justice, where it is most lacking….
+ For reconciliation between people who are at war….
+ For our children, that they might never know a day apart from You….
+ For parents, that they may pass on to their children the precious gift of faith….
+ For Christian charities around the world and for all the people they help….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may receive their just reward in heaven….
Gracious God, Your help is near for those who trust in You: hear our prayers we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Prepare ye the way of the Lord” – Jeremy Riddle
Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Oh, the way of the Lord
Make straight paths for His feet | Clear a way in the street | Prepare your hearts to meet | The One who is coming | Every valley shall be raised | The rough places become plains | His salvation comes today | To those who would receive Him
What His words have foretold | All together we’ll behold | Every knee bending low | On the day of His coming | Now is a time of urgency | You must repent and believe | For the day of reckoning | Comes with His coming
The King is coming | The King is coming | The King is coming
Yahweh | Yahweh | Yahweh
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Blessing – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NLT)
“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 