ORDER OF WORSHIP
Christmas Eve Service – December 24, 2015
Call to Worship: Matthew 2:6
Prayer of Adoration:
Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy universal church: The communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.
Theme One – Creation: Genesis 1:1-3,26-27; Psalm 19:1
Song: O Come All Ye Faithful Hymn 208 v.1,3,4
Theme Two – The Fall: Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 3:10-12
Song: Away In A Manger Hymn 204 v.1-3
Prayer of Confession:
Pastor: Our Father, in a world of created changeable things, Christ and His Word alone remain unshaken. O to forsake all creatures, to rest as a stone on Him, the foundation, to abide in Him, to be borne up by Him!
People: For all our mercies come through Christ, who has designed, purchased, promised and granted them.
Pastor: Father, we are guilty. We frequently sin against You and violate Your holy will, and we have no comforter, no creature to go to for help or consolation.
People: Our sin is the continual separation, disunion, and distance from You, and our hearts are often careless towards You.
Pastor: But You have given us a Gift, Jesus Your Son, as Mediator between Yourself and sinners, for only He can span the chasm breached by our sin and satisfy divine justice.
People: May we always lay hold upon this Mediator by faith. If we oppose the Word, we oppose our Lord when He is most near; if we receive the Word we receive our Lord wherein He is most nigh.
All: O Lord, who has the hearts of all people in Your hand, form our hearts according to Your Word, according to the image of Your Son; so shall Christ the Word be our strength and comfort. Amen!
Assurance of Pardon:
Pastor: Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace, remitting all our sins, and cleansing us from an evil conscience through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord.
People: Amen!
Theme Three – Redemption: Isaiah 7:14; 9:2,6-7; Luke 2:8-14; 1 Cor 15:1-14
Song: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Hymn 203 v.1-3
Theme Four – Consummation: Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Song: Joy to the World Hymn 195 v.1,2,4
Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
“The Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
Communion*:
Song: Silent Night Hymn 210 v.1-3
Benediction:
*Professing and baptized members in good standing of a Church in which Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord and Savior are warmly invited to join us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.