December 24, 2015

First Presbyterian Church

Worship Leaders

Rev. Jan Condren

Choir Director: Hansen Johnson

Pianist/Organist: Kriss Harris

Pianist: Nancy Fuller

Acolyte: Marti Creighton

First Presbyterian Church, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

**Please stand if you are able. Words in bold are read by the congregation.

CHRISTMAS EVE ORDER OF WORSHIP

GATHERING MUSIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE The Adams Family

SONG OF RESPONSE

OPENING PRAYER

Gracious God, with joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people.

We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ's birth. In

the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts that we may know the

peace and fullness of this holy time. Shine, O Light, in the darkness

of our world.

Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts, "Glory to God in the

highest, and on earth peace among those God favors." This we pray

in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.

HYMN PH 41 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” vs. 1, 3

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

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 heaven 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!

CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in

darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good

news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting lit-

tle, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, we pray, and renew our hope, so

that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ

the Lord.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CHRISTMAS GLORIA PH 40 “Joy to the World” v. 1

Joy to the world! the Lord is 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.

THE CHRISTMAS READINGS AND SONGS

THE BIRTH OF JESUS FORETOLD TO MARY

Reading Luke 1:26-33, 38,46-55 page 1588, NIV or page 53, NRSV

Solo “To A Maid Engaged to Joseph” Hansen Johnson

THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Reading Luke 2:1-5 page 1590, NIV or page 54, NRSV

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” PH 43

O 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.

JESUS IS BORN

Reading Luke 2: 6-7 page 1590, NIV or page 54, NRSV

“Away in a Manger” PH 25

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Solo: "O Holy Night" Hansen Johnson

JESUS’ BIRTH IS ANNOUNCED TO THE SHEPHERDS

Reading Luke 2: 8-14 page 1590, NIV or page 55, NRSV

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” PH 38 v.1

It came upon the 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 all, from heaven's all gracious King.

The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

“The First Nowell” PH 56 v.1

The first Nowell the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell. Born is the King of Israel.

THE SHEPHERDS FIND THE BABY JESUS

Reading Luke 2:15-18 page 1591, NIV or page 55, NRSV

“What Child Is This?” PH 53 v.1

What Child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

the Babe, the Son of Mary!

THE WISE MEN BRING THEIR GIFTS TO JESUS

Reading Matthew 2: 1-11 page 1591, NIV or page 55, NRSV

“The First Nowell” PH 56 v.3,5

And by the light of that same star,

Three wise men came from country far;

To seek for a king was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell.

Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three,

Fell reverently upon their knee,

And offered there in His presence,

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell.

Born is the King of Israel.

MEDITATION

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: It is truly right…...who forever sing to the glory of your name:

People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: You are holy, O God of majesty …..great is the mystery of faith:

People: Christ has died

Christ is risen,

Christ will come again.

Leader: Gracious God . ....who taught us to pray, saying:..

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 debts,

as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,

and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

BREAKING THE BREAD AND PRESENTING THE CUP

PARTAKING OF THE ELEMENTS

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

.

SHARING THE LIGHT

OF THE WORLD

The congregation receives the light from the Christ candle as it is brought to the first person in

each pew. Please pass the light to each other, keeping lighted candles upright while receiving

the flame from your neighbor.

*CAROL “Silent Night! Holy 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.

Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;

With the angels let us sing,

Alleluia to our king;

Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

*BENEDICTION

CLOSING RESPONSE PH 40 “Joy To the World” v. 4

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.

Cover photo from the movie, “The Nativity Story” by New Line Cinema posted at

http://thecatholiccatalogue.com/tcc-films-the-nativity-story/

This service is adapted from one by Kathie Wilkinson,

Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church, Durham, NC

2015 Elders

Joshua Bliss -- Property & Operations Moderator

Anne Davey -- Mission/Evangelism Moderator

Annette Haskins -- Stewardship & Finance Moderator

Mary Ann Heck -- Worship Co-Moderator

Summer King -- Membership/Fellowship Co-Moderator

Jessica Langston -- Christian Education Moderator

Park Medearis -- Worship Co-Moderator/Deacon’s Liason

Bonnie Smith -- Clerk of Session/Moderator Personnel/Membership/Fellowship

2015 Deacons

Christine Bean

Joshua Bliss

Marti Creighton

Karmen Green

Sandy Medearis

Paula Young