Welcome to Colesville Presbyterian Church
December 24, 2023 Christmas Eve “ How Does a Weary World Rejoice? ” 7 p.m. Worship
GATHERING
WELCOME
PRELUDE
“ Three Reflections on 'Savior of the Nations, Come' ” Kyle Pedrick, organ arr. David Lasky
________________________________________________ *Please stand if you are able. Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: There is room for you here. If you ’ re weary and worn, or hopeful and patient. People: If you ’ re tired and lost, or wrapped up in hope. Leader: If you ’ re new to this place, or have been here before. People: Come in, come in. There is room for you here. Leader: The angels are singing, People: “ Be not afraid. ” Leader: The angels are singing, People: “ Good news and great joy! ” Leader: So come in, come in! People: There is room for us here.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
*HYMN No. 133
“ O Come, All Ye Faithful ”
Adeste fideles
(verses 1, 3 & 4)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving Christ, Scripture tells us that you were born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. There was no room in the inn for a woman in need, no room in the inn for an innocent baby. Forgive us. We should have learned our lesson by now, but just as others turned their backs on you, we continue to turn our backs on one another. Teach us how to make room for one another. Teach us how to make room for you. Carve out space in our hearts to love as you love, for we do not want to build hostility here. We want to build your promised day. Guide us forward. With hope and honesty we pray, amen.
SILENT PRAYER
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Friends, the angels say, “ Be not afraid, ” but they also say, “ Unto you a child is born. ” Christ is born for you. Christ walked this earth for you. Christ forgives you. That ’ s what love does. It makes room. It offers grace. It learns your name. So repeat these words of hope after me: Unto us a child is born. Unto us a child is born. Unto us grace is given. Unto us grace is given. May this good news change the very fabric of our lives. Christ has made room for all of us. Amen.
RESPONSE HYMN No. 115
“ Away in a Manger ”
Mueller
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
LISTENING FOR THE WORD
FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 9:2 - 7 (p. 600, OT, pew Bible)
ANTHEM
“ Westminster Carol ”
arr. Carl J. Nygard, Jr.
CPC Choir
SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:1 - 20 (p. 54, NT, pew Bible)
CHRISTMAS HOMILY “ How Does a Weary World Rejoice? We Make Room ” Rev. Laura Batten - Carbaugh
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*HYMN No. 119 “ Hark! the Herald Angels Sing ”
Mendelssohn
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison) We believe in a God who makes room for us—who opens the door, pulls up a seat, puts the kettle on, and says, “ Tell me everything. ” We believe that God not only treats us this way but also makes room for our neighbors, for strangers, and for our enemies. Jesus modeled this kind of room - making love when he said, “ Let the children come to me, ” and, “ Let me wash your feet, ” so we try to follow suit. In a world of closed doors, we believe in saying, “ There is room for you here. ”
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DUET
“ O Holy Night ”
Adolphe Adam
Kate and John Stevenson
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
THE LORD ’ S PRAYER Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
CANDLELIGHT CAROL Hymn No. 122 “ Silent Night ” Stille Nacht
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD
THE SENDING
*HYMN No. 134
“ Joy to the World ”
Antioch
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “ Recessional on 'I Saw Three Ships' ” Kyle Pedrick, organ
arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Liturgist: Lynne Herman Advent Wreath Candlelighters: The Doong Family Ushers: Barbara Claxton, Mike Miller and Nate Batten - Carbaugh
Cover art: “ Prophecy ” by Hannah Garrity| Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
———————————————— - Colesville Presbyterian Church 12800 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20904 www.colesvillepresbyterian.com Please recycle.
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