CHRISTMAS DAY
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
I have Good News for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you the Messiah, the Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the gospel, whose glory brightens the night sky on christmas eve, and the birth of whose son in bethlehem brings the dawn of a new day, hear our prayers for forgiveness and mercy. Pardon us if we have made idols of what are only symbols of the coming of jesus, if traditional practice rather than the reality of the coming of jesus christ, has defined the meaning of today. We can appeal to your kindness and generosity, not because of any good deeds of our own, but because of our salvation through the water of baptism and the renewing power of the holy spirit by your grace, jesus christ is our savior. Amen
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God in highest heaven grants peace on earth to all on whom rest the favor of the Most High. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Raise a signal to all people. This is God's proclamation to earth's farthest bounds.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Exalted one, having received the good news of jesus christ with great joy we would be sent like the shepherds to astonish others with the story of jesus and the meaning of our salvation through his grace. Amen
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God in highest heaven, we give you thanks for the sending of Jesus Christ into our world to be a gift of peace, a person of peace, a prince of peace. Christ most lowly, we give thanks for your humble birth and gracious life, for salvation and the hope of eternal life. Spirit most holy, we thank you for the water of rebirth and the renewal of the spirit thus signified, by which we are saved, being justified by the grace of our lord Jesus Christ. All glory be ascribed to you, one God, giving, coming, renewing. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy child of God and of Mary Virgin, heaven and earth are your homes, temple and stable are hallowed by your presence. We bring our gifts to you so that the good news of peace may continue to sound in earth and heaven, echoed by human voices, the voice of your church. Amen
PSALM 97
The Lord is King;
let the earth rejoice;
LET THE MULTITUDE OF THE ISLES BE GLAD.
Clouds and darkness are roundabout him,
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF HIS THRONE.
A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side.
HIS LIGHTNINGS LIGHT UP THE WORLD; THE EARTH SEES IT AND IS AFRAID.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
AND ALL THE PEOPLES SEE HIS GLORY.
Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods!
BOW DOWN BEFORE HIM, ALL YOU GODS.
Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
FOR YOU ARE THE LORD,
MOST HIGH OVER ALL THE EARTH:
YOU ARE EXALTED FAR ABOVE ALL GODS.
The Lord loves those who hate evil;
HE PRESERVES THE LIVES OF HIS SAINTS
AND DELIVERS THEM FROM THE HAND OF THE WICKED.
Light has sprung up for the righteous,
AND JOYFUL GLADNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRUEHEARTED.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
AND GIVE THANKS TO HIS HOLY NAME.
I have Good News for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you the Messiah, the Christ.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the gospel, whose glory brightens the night sky on christmas eve, and the birth of whose son in bethlehem brings the dawn of a new day, hear our prayers for forgiveness and mercy. Pardon us if we have made idols of what are only symbols of the coming of jesus, if traditional practice rather than the reality of the coming of jesus christ, has defined the meaning of today. We can appeal to your kindness and generosity, not because of any good deeds of our own, but because of our salvation through the water of baptism and the renewing power of the holy spirit by your grace, jesus christ is our savior. Amen
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God in highest heaven grants peace on earth to all on whom rest the favor of the Most High. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Raise a signal to all people. This is God's proclamation to earth's farthest bounds.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Exalted one, having received the good news of jesus christ with great joy we would be sent like the shepherds to astonish others with the story of jesus and the meaning of our salvation through his grace. Amen
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God in highest heaven, we give you thanks for the sending of Jesus Christ into our world to be a gift of peace, a person of peace, a prince of peace. Christ most lowly, we give thanks for your humble birth and gracious life, for salvation and the hope of eternal life. Spirit most holy, we thank you for the water of rebirth and the renewal of the spirit thus signified, by which we are saved, being justified by the grace of our lord Jesus Christ. All glory be ascribed to you, one God, giving, coming, renewing. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy child of God and of Mary Virgin, heaven and earth are your homes, temple and stable are hallowed by your presence. We bring our gifts to you so that the good news of peace may continue to sound in earth and heaven, echoed by human voices, the voice of your church. Amen
PSALM 97
The Lord is King;
let the earth rejoice;
LET THE MULTITUDE OF THE ISLES BE GLAD.
Clouds and darkness are roundabout him,
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF HIS THRONE.
A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side.
HIS LIGHTNINGS LIGHT UP THE WORLD; THE EARTH SEES IT AND IS AFRAID.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
AND ALL THE PEOPLES SEE HIS GLORY.
Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods!
BOW DOWN BEFORE HIM, ALL YOU GODS.
Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
FOR YOU ARE THE LORD,
MOST HIGH OVER ALL THE EARTH:
YOU ARE EXALTED FAR ABOVE ALL GODS.
The Lord loves those who hate evil;
HE PRESERVES THE LIVES OF HIS SAINTS
AND DELIVERS THEM FROM THE HAND OF THE WICKED.
Light has sprung up for the righteous,
AND JOYFUL GLADNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRUEHEARTED.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
AND GIVE THANKS TO HIS HOLY NAME.
