Ward Hill Church of Christ the King – A Christ-Centered Community of Faith, Hope, & Love

The Eve of Christmas Day in the Year of our Lord 2021

Service of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Please speak bold words and sing italicized words. * – We invite you to stand as able.

Organ Prelude                                                                                 Anne Smith, organ

Brass Prelude   “Veni Emanuel” – arr. Fote                            Christ the King Brass

   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

   In Jesus is life, the life that is the light of all people.

   Jesus is the true Light which enlightens everyone, and He has come into the world.* Hymn 208   O Come, All Ye Faithful                                      ADESTE FIDELES

* Invocation & the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father… (saying ‘debts’)

* Christmas Greeting  The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Welcoming Christmas with the Advent and Nativity Candles

Choral Anthem   “How Quietly”  – Raney                          Ward Hill Church Choir

Welcoming the Children

Hymn 204   Away in a Manger                                           MUELLER

Collect for Christmas Eve & Day: O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.

The Prophecy of Isaiah 9:2,6-7  The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Brass Carol  “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” – arr. Fote   Christ the King Brass

The Nativity in Luke 2:1-20      The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

* Hymn 203   Hark! the Herald Angels Sing                                       MENDELSSOHN

Homily  “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”          Pastor Alex Burgess

* Carols by Candlelight          Please form a circle around the meetinghouse.

Lower the unlit candle to receive the flame from the lit candle.

 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 Alleluias to our King;

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

 Joy to the World! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King;

 Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing.

 He rules the world with truth & grace, & makes the nations prove

 The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.

* Christmas Benediction:  May the One, who by His Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God, the love of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you always. Go forth in peace and joy.

We give thanks to God. Alleluia!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

¡Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo!

We hope you will have a most blessed Christmas time as you celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ! We also pray that God will bless and keep you in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Twenty-Two!

Christmas and Epiphany Services

Sun, Dec 26 – Christmas Sunday   8 am online; 10 am in-person

Sun, Jan 2 – Epiphany Sunday   8 am online; 10 am in-person

Wed, Jan 5 – Eve of Epiphany Prayer   7 pm online & in-person

Sun, Jan 9 – Baptism of Christ Sunday   8 am online; 10 am in-person