Cover image from https://odcfamily.sermon.net/main/main/21904543
Prelude Cello Variation on O Come, O Come Emmanuel (arr. M Harvey)
Welcome and Announcements
Christmas Candle Lighting: Christ Candle (Gen. 1:1-5/ John 1:1-5, NRSV)
One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.
All: In the beginning, God createdthe heavens and the earth.
The earth was a formless void
and darkness covered the face of the deep.
And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Then God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.
All things came into being through him.
Without him not one thing came into being.
And God saw that the light was good.
And God separated the light from the darkness.
What has come into beingin him was life.
And the life was the light of all people.
God called the light Day. And the darkness he called Night.
The light shines in the darkness.
And the darkness does not overcome it.
CANDLE LIGHTING Hark, the Herald Angels Sing Blue Hymnal #31
OPENING SENTENCES (by Ann Weems)
The Christmas spirit is that hope that tenaciously clings to the hearts of the faithful
and announces in the face of any Herod the world can produce
and all the inn doors slammed in our faces
and all the dark nights of our souls
that with God all things still are possible,
that even now unto us a Child is born
*Opening Hymn It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Hymnal #38
Scripture Luke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife, being great with child.
Vocal Music Mary, Did You Know? Len Hedges-Goettl
Luke 2:6-7 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
OPENING PRAYER
PASTOR BARB Fragile God, born in the night –
READER: We listen in the clarity of the cold night air.
We hear the hoofs clopping in the dust,
a man’s soft voice reassuring a tired woman.
PASTOR BARB We hear his voice inquiring,
“Is there room?”
“Is there room for us?”
READER: Fragile God, born in the night –
PASTOR BARB We know the story.
READER: We know that you are coming.
“Is there room?”
“Is there room for you?”
PASTOR BARB Fragile God, born in the night –
READER: We see the shadowy figures finding the stable.
“There is no room.”
PASTOR BARB We see the man preparing a place in the hay.
He makes room.
READER: We see the woman moving heavily,
the hours of labor, the sweat, the tears, the cries, the moans,
the crushing grip of the hands.
PASTOR BARB
We hear the insistent cry of the child wail out, born at last!
“Make room! Make room for me!”
READER: Fragile God, born in the night –
PASTOR BARB: We hear your cry.
READER: We hear from the hills and the pastures,
your cry as a newborn child ringing out in the still air,
your cry echoed in the thunderous announcement from the skies.
PASTOR BARB: We see you in the manger.
READER: We travel across the miles to see,
your glory as a newborn child lying in a manger,
your glory reflected in the star we follow.
PASTOR BARB: Fragile God, born in the night –
READER: Meet us here at your manger.
PASTOR BARB: Meet us as a newborn child meets new parents,
come to change our lives forever.
PASTOR BARB & READER Meet us as the newborn
READER: who insists that we make room for you,
PASTOR BARB: who requires that we reorder our lives
to pay attention to you,
READER: who demands that we be re-centered
on the very center of life.
PASTOR BARB & READER
In the name of the newborn king we pray, Amen.
Scriptures
1 Corinthians 16:22b-23
Make room for the Master! 23 Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you.
Psalm 4:1
[O Lord,] when I call, give me answers. God, take my side!
Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
Now I’m in trouble again: grace me! hear me!
Psalm 61:3-5
3-5[Lord,] You’ve always given me breathing room,
a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
made me welcome among those who know and love you.
Psalm 62:1-2
1-2 God [is] the one and only– I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him, so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.
John 14:1-4
1-4 [Jesus said,] “Don’t let [anything] throw you.
You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.
There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home.
If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?
And if I’m on my way to get your room ready,
I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.
And you already know the road I’m taking.”
Reflections by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“He came in the form of a beggar,
of the dissolute child in ragged clothes.
He confronts you in every person you that you meet.
As long as there are people,
Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor.”
Martin Luther said, in a Christmas sermon,
“There was all the room in the inn but no one would give up a room.
I can just hear you say, ‘Oh, we would love to take care of the baby Jesus.’
If you would, why don’t you do it for the neighbor in your midst, who is Christ among you?”
Special Music Cello Variation on How a Rose E’er Blooming
M. Praetorius (arr. M. Harvey)
Hymn The First Nowell Hymnal, #56 v. 1 & 2
Scripture Luke 2:8-12
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13-14 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all.
*Hymn The First Nowell Hymnal, #56 v. 1 & 2
Confession of Faith The Nicene Creed (Traditional) Hymnal, p. 15
COMMUNION
INVITATION to THE LORD’S TABLE
PRAYER of GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
…who forever sing the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!
… Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.
Prayer continues….the Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal, p.14, Ecumenical)
WORDS of INSTITUTION
PARTAKING of the BREAD and CUP
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*Hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory Hymnal #22
OFFERING
Offering Cello Variation on What Child is This? (arr. M Harvey)
Prayer of Dedication
Love that shapes heaven and earth, dwell in these gifts and in our lives. Love that cannot be overcome, dwell in these gifts and in our lives. Love that will not let go, dwell in these gifts and in our lives.
In the name of the One who dwells among us, Amen.
Sung Response (instead of Doxology) O Little Town, v. 3-4 Hymnal #44
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn Joy to the World Hymnal #40
Benediction Colossians 3:16-17 The Message
Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house.
Give it plenty of room in your lives.
Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—
be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,
thanking God the Father every step of the way.
And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
ALL: God bless us, everyone!
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Opening prayer from Dr. Susan M. (Elli) Elliott, http://ellielliott.webs.com