The Coming King
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined.
Leader: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.
People: He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Collect
Our hearts are bursting with praise and thanksgiving to you, Almighty God, as on this day we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. He has brought light to our darkened world, and the hope of the Peaceable Kingdom where love will reign supreme. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The babe whose birth we celebrate grew to be a man. Through his teachings, the life he lived, and his death and resurrection, we have learned that our God is a God of love and mercy. This light has shined upon us, but we have often chosen to walk in darkness. Forgive our foolishness, we pray, and enable us with the aid of your Holy Spirit to show forth your love for all humankind. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"Angels From The Realms Of Glory"
Christmas Eve/Day
Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14
Theme: The Purpose Of Christ's Coming
Call To Worship
Come, let us give thanks to our Heavenly Father, for the grace of God has appeared with the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all.
Collect
Heavenly Father, we have waited for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we celebrate his coming as we mark the birthday of the Babe of Bethlehem. Thanks be to you, O God, for coming among us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we know that your Son came into the world to teach us by word and deed to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly. We confess, however, that though we earnestly try to be faithful followers of Jesus, we often fall far short of what we know to be the right way to act and do. We beg your forgiveness, Heavenly Father, and ask your help as we strive to walk in the light Jesus brought to us and all humanity. Amen.
Hymns
"Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"
"Love Came Down At Christmas"
Christmas Eve/Day
Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20
Theme: The Birth Of Jesus
Call To Worship
Leader: We gather today to celebrate with great joy the Good News.
People: Yes, for to us was born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Leader: Glory to God in the highest,
People: and on earth peace, goodwill to all.
Collect
Almighty God, like the shepherds of old we have come once again to find the Christ Child. We open our hearts to him that he might abide with us always, and when our service has ended we will return to our daily tasks glorifying and praising you for all that we have heard and experienced this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, we are a cynical people. It is difficult for us to believe that a baby born in a stable over 2,000 years ago is the Savior of humankind. Forgive our disbelief, rekindle our faith, and through this beautiful time of celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, help us, like the shepherds of old, to go on our way singing praises to you for all that we have seen and heard. Amen.
Hymns
"Away In A Manger"
"There's A Song In The Air"
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined.
Leader: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.
People: He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Collect
Our hearts are bursting with praise and thanksgiving to you, Almighty God, as on this day we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. He has brought light to our darkened world, and the hope of the Peaceable Kingdom where love will reign supreme. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The babe whose birth we celebrate grew to be a man. Through his teachings, the life he lived, and his death and resurrection, we have learned that our God is a God of love and mercy. This light has shined upon us, but we have often chosen to walk in darkness. Forgive our foolishness, we pray, and enable us with the aid of your Holy Spirit to show forth your love for all humankind. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"Angels From The Realms Of Glory"
Christmas Eve/Day
Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14
Theme: The Purpose Of Christ's Coming
Call To Worship
Come, let us give thanks to our Heavenly Father, for the grace of God has appeared with the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all.
Collect
Heavenly Father, we have waited for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we celebrate his coming as we mark the birthday of the Babe of Bethlehem. Thanks be to you, O God, for coming among us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we know that your Son came into the world to teach us by word and deed to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly. We confess, however, that though we earnestly try to be faithful followers of Jesus, we often fall far short of what we know to be the right way to act and do. We beg your forgiveness, Heavenly Father, and ask your help as we strive to walk in the light Jesus brought to us and all humanity. Amen.
Hymns
"Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"
"Love Came Down At Christmas"
Christmas Eve/Day
Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20
Theme: The Birth Of Jesus
Call To Worship
Leader: We gather today to celebrate with great joy the Good News.
People: Yes, for to us was born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Leader: Glory to God in the highest,
People: and on earth peace, goodwill to all.
Collect
Almighty God, like the shepherds of old we have come once again to find the Christ Child. We open our hearts to him that he might abide with us always, and when our service has ended we will return to our daily tasks glorifying and praising you for all that we have heard and experienced this day. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, we are a cynical people. It is difficult for us to believe that a baby born in a stable over 2,000 years ago is the Savior of humankind. Forgive our disbelief, rekindle our faith, and through this beautiful time of celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, help us, like the shepherds of old, to go on our way singing praises to you for all that we have seen and heard. Amen.
Hymns
"Away In A Manger"
"There's A Song In The Air"
