Service Program

“O, Come All Ye Faithful” (#249)

Welcome

“Light of the World”

Call to Worship Matthew 2:1-2 & 9b-11

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”… 9 …And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Prayer of Invocation

“Angels We Have Heard On High”

“Joy to the World”

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” (#277)

Christmas Reading Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He 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 father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered 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 called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

“O Holy Night”

Prayer of Praise, Thanksgiving, and Illumination

Sermon: “Light”, Dr. Mike Campbell

John 1:9-12

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Candle Lighting Service

“Silent Night! Holy Night!” (#253)

Benediction Numbers 6:24-26

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

John 1:9-12:

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….

1. We Need this Light

Isaiah 8:22 and 9:2: And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness…. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Verse 9: The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Verse 10: He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

Verse 11: He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

John 3:19: People loved the darkness rather than the light….

2. Have You Received this Light?

Verse 12: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….

John 12:46: I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.