Love Came Down at Christmas
“For God so loved the world
that he sent his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish
but have eternal life”
John 3:16
First Congregational Church of Holden
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023
that he sent his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish
but have eternal life”
John 3:16
First Congregational Church of Holden
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023
WELCOME & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
BELL TOLL
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The angel said to Mary, “you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son”
ALL: GOD’S PROMISE WAS FULFILLED. MARY GAVE BIRTH TO A SON AND NAMED HIM JESUS. HE IS THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD AND THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
One: On the night Jesus was born, an angel appeared to the shepherds tending their flocks of sheep and summoned them to Bethlehem to see the newborn Christ.
ALL: THEY TRAVELED TO BETHLEHEM IN THE DARK AND BEHELD THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
One: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”
ALL: TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER, THE SHEPHERDS’ MESSAGE IS STILL TOLD. WE HAVE HEARD IT AND HAVE COME TO WORSHIP THIS CHILD OURSELVES. WE HAVE COME TO BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND TO ADORE JESUS CHRIST THE LORD.
CAROL “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
* PRAYER OF LIGHT
JESUS CHRIST, LIGHT OF THE WORLD, SHINE YOUR LIGHT IN THIS DARK PLACE. REVEAL THE DARKNESS OF OUR OWN HEARTS AND DISPLACE IT WITH THE LIGHT OF YOUR MERCY AND GRACE. ILLUMINATE THE RIGHT PATH BEFORE US THAT WE MAY WALK IN IT AND JOURNEY TO ETERNAL LIFE. MAY YOUR LIGHT SHINE EVER BRIGHTER WITHIN US AND MAY WE SPREAD YOUR LIGHT TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH BRINGING GLORY TO YOUR NAME. AMEN.
LESSONS & CAROLS
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 9:2-7
CAROL “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:1-5
CAROL “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:6-7
CAROL “Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
The stars in the sky look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:8-12
CAROL “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 8:13-16
CAROL “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains
Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo, Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo, Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 8:17-20
CAROL “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12
CAROL “We Three Kings”
We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice!
Alleluia, alleluia, heaven to earth replies
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
SCRIPTURE READING Colossians 1:15-20
CAROL “Joy to the World!”
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
CHRISTMAS REFLECTION Pastor John
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
SPREADING THE LIGHT (Candles are lit)
CAROL “Silent Night”
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
BENEDICTION & CHRISTMAS BLESSING
Christmas Offering
This year our special Christmas Offering will go
(1) to drill village wells and provide clean drinking
water in poor and war-torn regions around the globe
(via Samaritan’s Purse) and (2) to help local refugees settling in Worcester County (through WARM)
There is a basket at the manger for those who would like to contribute before or after the service. Baby goods and other items for our “Diapers for Jesus” program may also be placed at the manger as well. Thank you.
BELL TOLL
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The angel said to Mary, “you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son”
ALL: GOD’S PROMISE WAS FULFILLED. MARY GAVE BIRTH TO A SON AND NAMED HIM JESUS. HE IS THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD AND THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
One: On the night Jesus was born, an angel appeared to the shepherds tending their flocks of sheep and summoned them to Bethlehem to see the newborn Christ.
ALL: THEY TRAVELED TO BETHLEHEM IN THE DARK AND BEHELD THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
One: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”
ALL: TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER, THE SHEPHERDS’ MESSAGE IS STILL TOLD. WE HAVE HEARD IT AND HAVE COME TO WORSHIP THIS CHILD OURSELVES. WE HAVE COME TO BEHOLD THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND TO ADORE JESUS CHRIST THE LORD.
CAROL “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
* PRAYER OF LIGHT
JESUS CHRIST, LIGHT OF THE WORLD, SHINE YOUR LIGHT IN THIS DARK PLACE. REVEAL THE DARKNESS OF OUR OWN HEARTS AND DISPLACE IT WITH THE LIGHT OF YOUR MERCY AND GRACE. ILLUMINATE THE RIGHT PATH BEFORE US THAT WE MAY WALK IN IT AND JOURNEY TO ETERNAL LIFE. MAY YOUR LIGHT SHINE EVER BRIGHTER WITHIN US AND MAY WE SPREAD YOUR LIGHT TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH BRINGING GLORY TO YOUR NAME. AMEN.
LESSONS & CAROLS
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 9:2-7
CAROL “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:1-5
CAROL “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:6-7
CAROL “Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
The stars in the sky look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:8-12
CAROL “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 8:13-16
CAROL “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains
Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo, Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo, Glo - - - ria, in excelsis Deo
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 8:17-20
CAROL “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12
CAROL “We Three Kings”
We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice!
Alleluia, alleluia, heaven to earth replies
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
SCRIPTURE READING Colossians 1:15-20
CAROL “Joy to the World!”
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
CHRISTMAS REFLECTION Pastor John
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
SPREADING THE LIGHT (Candles are lit)
CAROL “Silent Night”
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
BENEDICTION & CHRISTMAS BLESSING
Christmas Offering
This year our special Christmas Offering will go
(1) to drill village wells and provide clean drinking
water in poor and war-torn regions around the globe
(via Samaritan’s Purse) and (2) to help local refugees settling in Worcester County (through WARM)
There is a basket at the manger for those who would like to contribute before or after the service. Baby goods and other items for our “Diapers for Jesus” program may also be placed at the manger as well. Thank you.
