Prelude Music
We Prepare for Emmanuel: God With Us
Call to Christmas
*Hymn of Gathering O Come, All Ye Faithful
*Prayer of Gathering
Gracious God, now your labor of love is real among us as abundant life, as Jesus; your newborn blessing of human life is in our hearts, our lives, our creation. Enter into all of our spirits as glorious humility and as powerful love. For we pray to respond to your birth with caring, justice, and conviction to create light in any darkness, with the love of Jesus, your child. Amen.
We Remember God’s Promise
The Promise of the Prophet Isaiah 9: 2-7
Vocal Quartet “I Wonder as I Wander” (arr. John Rutter)
The Birth of Christ Luke 2: 1-7
Christmas Offering
Choral Offering “How Great Our Joy” (Craig Courtney)
Advent Prayer (seated) (tune of “Away in a Manger”/Mueller)
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
Christmas Continues Luke 2: 8-20
Hymn of Birth What Child is This? (seated)
One Night Off
The Prayer of Incarnation
Christ’s Light is Shared with All
The Gospel of Light John 1 (selected verses)
The Light of Christ
Worship leaders will light the candles of the congregation. Please tip only the unlit candle, and assist Children with care. When you receive the light, please share it.
Carol Silent Night (seated)
Vocal Duet “O Holy Night” (A. Adams)
The Hope of the Winter (Please extinguish your candles after blessing)
*Hymn of Glory Joy to the World
*Benediction
Postlude “Toccatina on ‘Joy to the World’” (Brenda Portman)
* Those who are able please stand
Here on Christmas Eve you are welcome to
be seated or to stand and depart during the Postlude.
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The Gifts of Christmas Eve: You are all invited: Come back next Sunday for worship at 10:00 AM, the following week for Epiphany, or, research all our events and missions on the web at www.nhcc.net. We have a lively church school, and important winter missions.
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Merry Christmas from all of our members, friends, and staff
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Baily, Pastor Wendy Donnell, CE Director
Dr. Jan Zimmerman, Music Director Yevgenia Semeina, Organist
Isabelle Baily, Technology Oscar Vasquez, Sexton
Joy Huber, Greeter Judah Coffman, Office Administrator
Lizzie Simpson
Special thanks to our musical guests
Amanda Ketchpaw, Soprano Vera Rubin, violin
Ted Palés, Tenor Susannah Boberg, clarinet
Jim Jordan, Bass Katie Chuang, cello