A Performing Arts Christmas Sunday Morning Worship Service Liturgy
Written by: Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun
A PERFORMING ARTS SUNDAY CHRISTMAS SUNDAY Worship Service Liturgy
Program Overview This work was written and produced for a Christmas Service at Mount Olive AME Church in 2018. The Readers were mostly lay persons and the aim was to include as many members as possible. Approximately 3-4 rehearsals were held to familiarize everyone with the portions and tenor of the service. It was continually emphasized that it was to be a worship service and not a play or presentation. Modifying the typical Christmas Sunday morning worship service, but including all of the necessary components to conduct a worship service that meets the needs of your congregation.. The original length of the service was commensurate with the 90 minutes that was often typical pre-pandemic. Based on the length of your service, some of the videos/readers may have to be reduced. Several videos were included that may only be usable on Zoom, but not available for use on social media. Singing the songs live or using non-licensed versions may be more accommodating. Please note: only portions of the majority of the videos were played. Most often the refrain. We Shall Behold Him, etc. were played in their entirety. All of the participants were asked to wear red, white and/or green. And processed together into the choir loft. Red, green and white folders were used to hold the printed liturgy. All participants were asked to invite their family members, neighbors and friends, always making this service one of the largest of the year. I pray, for those who may use this in the future, that it will be an uplifting, unique and an ubiquitous experience for your congregation and church community. Christmas Blessings! Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun 2
Performing Arts Christmas Worship Service Written By: Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun PROCESSIONAL: “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” Hark, the herald angels sing, Jesus the light of the world. Glory to the new born King, Jesus the light of the world Refrain: We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light. Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright. O, shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world. CALL TO WORSHIP LEADER: We have gathered as the Family of GOD to acknowledge and give witness to the story of the birth of Christ. CONGREGATION: We’ve come to celebrate the advent of our Savior and to seek Him, so that we may serve Him with gladness. LEADER: GOD’s family is here. We’ve come to worship Him and bless His holy Name! CONGREGATION: Our GOD is a Spirit! We’ve come to worship Him in Spirit & in Truth! LEADER: Father, use us today for Your glory! Use our mouths and our minds, our words and our worship. We’ve come to glorify You and praise Your Holy Name! CONGREGATION: Breathe on us breath of GOD, fill us with life anew. That we might love as thou doth love and do what thou doth do ALL: We have gathered, like the shepherds and the wise men. We’ve come to behold Him! VIDEO SELECTION: “NOW BEHOLD THE LAMB” – Mary Mary (or substitute) CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (EVERYBODY)
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God of light, place a candle in our hearts, so we may walk as children of the Light, treading gently on the paths of peace and ever ready to welcome the signs of new life. Amen. READER: Lighting a candle is a simple yet profound act. It is a testimony to the power of light over darkness. Even the light of one candle can reveal our faces as we stand near the candle. As we light the candle, we begin our journey to Christmas, a day of joy and celebration. READER: The first candle on the Advent wreath is called the Prophecy candle, it opens the period that anticipates Christmas and remembers those who first spoke the promise of the coming Christ child. [Light one of the blue candles. READERS STAND: One candle, burning bright, ! Chasing away the darkness from light. ! One candle, glowing light, ! The blessing of God, giving new sight. READER: Isaiah 2:2-5 says - In the future, the mountain with the Lord’s temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills; every nation will rush to it. Many people will come and say, “Let’s go to the mountain of the Lord God of Jacob and worship in his temple.” The Lord will teach us his Law from Jerusalem,and we will obey him. He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another. People of Israel, let’s live by the light of the Lord. READER: In Psalm 122 we see religious people approaching the holy city of Jerusalem. They are filled with joyous anticipation of worship. Soon they will be in the city and in the temple. 4
Soon they will be in the presence of the Lord. In that way, the psalmist prays for the peace of Jerusalem. VIDEO SELECTION - “THE FIRST NOEL” - Bee Bee & Cee Cee Winans (etc.) CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (Women & Girls) Dear God, on the first Sunday in Advent we began a spiritual pilgrimage as we joyously anticipate Christmas day, a reminder of the birth of our Savior. As we come to this place of worship, we know that we are in your presence. Give us your peace that through us all may know the peace that Christ brings. In his name we pray. (Men & Boys) Dear God, as we celebrate the first coming of Jesus and anticipate his second coming, help us to be awake and ready to do battle. We battle against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil. Clothe us with Jesus Christ that we may walk in his light, which is able to banish darkness. In the Savior's name we pray. Amen. READER: Waiting is hard in a fast-paced society. We want the stoplight to change quickly, the grocery line to move fast, and Christmas morning to arrive soon. We forget that before good things happen, preparations must be made. READER: We lite the Prophecy candle and remember those who first spoke the promise of the coming Christ child. The second candle on the Advent Wreath is called the Bethlehem candle. It is a symbol of the preparations being made to receive and cradle the Christ child. [Light another blue candle] READERS STAND:
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Two candles, burning bright, ! chasing away the darkness from light.! Two candles, glowing light, ! The blessing of God, giving new sight.
VIDEO: “WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM” (Vickie Winans, etc.)
READER: Isaiah 11:1-6 SAYS: 11 Then One will come from the family of Jesse. A branch will grow out of his roots. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of wise words and strength, the spirit of much learning and the fear of the Lord. 3 He will be glad in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what His eyes see, or decide by what His ears hear. 4 But He will judge the poor in a right and good way. He will be fair in what He decides for the people of the earth who have much trouble. He will punish the earth with His powerful mouth, and kill the sinful with the breath of His lips. 5 He will wear a belt of what is right and good and faithful around His body. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb. The leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the young lion and the young fat animal will lie down together. And a little boy will lead them. READER: Come, Holy God, come and save us. Come, Holy Christ, come and touch us. Come, Holy Spirit, come and revive us. Come and turn us around, and point us to your kingdom. Amen.
O’ HOLY NIGHT (STAND)
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. 6
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, till He appeared & the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope - the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new & glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night,O night divine!
READER: Dear God, as the kings and rulers of our world are enthroned, we have witnessed the elaborate preparations made for those events. By the power of your Spirit, move us to make the preparations needed to welcome you, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Soften our hearts, break down our resistance. Open us anew to your life and love that we may be transformed and may be agents of transformation in the lives of others. For Jesus' sake. Amen. CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (EVERYBODY): Dear God, in this very busy season with so many things to do, help us to hear anew your voice calling us to prepare the way for our Lord and Savior Jesus. Call us to repentance. Live in us by your Spirit that our lives will produce good fruit to the praise and honor of your name. Amen. READER: Jesus is coming, shout for joy! Joy is a word we see and hear everywhere at Christmas. Joy to the world is the message of the season. Joy is the theme of this day. We lit the Prophecy candle and remembered those who first spoke the promise of the coming Christ child. We lit the Bethlehem candle, a symbol of the preparations being made to receive and cradle the Christ child. READER: The third candle on the Advent wreath is called the Shepherds' candle. It remembers the first in a long line of people who joyfully shared the good news of the Savior's birth. The candle is a different color, reminding us that our period of waiting is half over. [Light the pink candle]
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READERS STAND: Three candles, burning bright,! Chasing away the darkness from light.! Three candles, glowing bright,! The blessing of God, giving new sight
VIDEO SELECTION: “JOY” - Georgia Mass Choir READER: Isaiah 35:3-8 says: Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling, and worried: “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies God will take revenge on them and rescue you. ” The blind will see, and the ears of the deaf will be healed. Those who were lame will leap around like deer; tongues once silent will begin to shout. Water will rush through the desert. Scorching sand will turn into a lake, and thirsty ground will flow with fountains. Grass will grow in wetlands, here packs of wild dogs once made their home. A good road will be there, and it will be named “God’s Sacred Highway.” It will be for God’s people; no one unfit to worship God will walk on that road. And no fools can travel on that highway.
IT’S A HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN (STAND) ITS A HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN NONE CAN WALK UP THERE BUT THE PURE IN HEART ITS A HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN i AM WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY MY WAY GETS BRIGHTER , MY LOAD GETS LIGHTER WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY THERE’S JOY IN KNOWING WITH HIM I’M GOING WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY DON’T HAVE TO WORRY, DON’T HAVE TO HURRY WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY CHRIST WALKS BESIDE ME, ANGELS TO GUIDE ME 8
WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY IF YOU’RE NOT WALKNG, START WHILE I’M TALKING WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY THERE’LL BE A BLESSING, YOU’LL BE POSSESSING WALKING UP THE KINGS HIGHWAY
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER: (Everybody) Holy God, create in us a fountain of joy, stir in us a spirit ready to dance, kindle in us the fire of gladness, set loose in us songs of praise. For you are the One who comes with healing and blessing. Amen. O’ COME EMMANUEL (REFRAIN) O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
READER: Psalm 146 praises the Lord as the Creator of the world and the Provider for his people. The psalm contains a wonderful "catalog" of the loving deeds of God, who gives food to the hungry and raises up those who are bowed down. The words remind us of the answer Jesus gave when John the Baptist asked him if he was the Messiah.
READER: Dear God, with joy we acknowledge your care and love for us. With joy we acknowledge that our help is in you, the Maker of heaven and earth, our Maker and our re-Maker through the life and death of the One born in Bethlehem. Through faith in him, grant us solid joy that lasts long beyond this Christmas season and that equips us to face the adversities of life. Amen.
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READER: Dear God, with joy and praise we acknowledge the signs that your kingdom has come in Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the forgiveness of sin. We rejoice that you have made us new creatures in Christ. With joy we commit ourselves to the proclamation of the good news of great joy. In the Savior's name we pray. Amen. VIDEO SELECTION: “JOY TO THE WORLD” - Cee Cee Winans READER: The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of endless love and faithfulness. Out of darkness light shines, pointing us in hope to the One who came to overcome the darkness of this world and to be our light in the world to come. READER: We lit the Prophecy candle and remembered those who first spoke the promise of the coming Christ child. We also lit the Bethlehem candle, a symbol of the preparations being made to receive and cradle the Christ child. Then we lit the Shepherds' candle, remembering the first in a long line of people who joyfully shared the good news of the Savior's birth. READER: The fourth candle on the Advent wreath is called the Angels' candle. It reminds us of the hope fulfilled in the first coming of our Savior and of our continuing hope as we anticipate his coming again. [Light the last blue candle] READERS STAND: Four candles, burning bright, Chasing away the darkness with light. Four candles, glowing bright, The blessing of God, giving new sight.
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Isaiah 7:13-14 says: 3 Then Isaiah said, “Listen now, O people of David! Is it too small a thing for you to test men, that you will test my God as well? 14 So the Lord Himself will give you a special thing to see: A young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a son. She will give Him the name Immanuel.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (EVERYBODY) God of angels and sheep, God of the poor and meek, in these days before Christmas, quiet us so we may hear where new life is struggling to be born, slow our rush so we may hear the faint sound of angel wings and the words whispered in hope. Open our hearts to the wonder of ImmanuelóGod with us. Amen.
READER: Psalm 24 extols God as the great Lord who founded the earth and whose victorious rule governs history. The earth is the Lord's. He is the King of glory. MISSIONARY OFFERING ANNOUNCEMENTS TITHES & OFFERING OFFERTORY SELECTION: “BORN IN BETHLEHEM” - Blind Boys of Alabama OFFERTORY - “ALL THINGS COME OF THEE O’LORD!” READER: Psalm 24 says:
24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting 11
doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME! (STAND) “All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (EVERYBODY) Dear strong and mighty God, by the power of the Spirit who created the earth and everything in it, create in us pure hearts and renew within us steadfast spirits that the hope fulfilled in Bethlehem may more and more permeate our lives until we share fully in your glory. In the name of the King who comes and comes again we pray. Amen. READER: Dear God, in the fullness of time you sent the One promised through the prophets who looked forward in hope. You have given us a living hope by raising him from the dead. Enliven our hope as we live in the expectation of your coming and your coming again. Amen. READER: PASTOR OR PRESIDING CLERGY Isaiah 9:6-7 says: For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to His rule and His peace, upon the throne of David and over his nation. He will build it to last and keep it strong with what is right and fair and good from that time and forever. The work of the Lord of All will do this. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we rejoice that you, so wonderful, so mighty, so everlasting, and so princely, entered time in the weakness of human flesh in a lowly stable in Bethlehem as the son of a peasant couple. O Child of Bethlehem, your birth gives us great joy. Make our joy complete so that we, 12
like you, spend our lives looking to the interests of others. By the power of your Spirit, instill in us your attitude of humble service. In your name we pray. VIDEO SELECTION: “MARY DID YOU KNOW” - The Braxton Sisters CHRISTMAS SUNDAY MEDITATION - Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun, Pastor
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (EVERYBODY) Dear God, in the birth of Jesus you have shown your majesty and splendor and have put a new song in our hearts and lives. O Christ of God, be born in us today that through us your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Fall upon us and give us the power to witness and tell the world, that Jesus Christ is born! In your mighty name we pray. Amen. VIDEO RECESSIONAL: “GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN” - Blind Boys of Alabama FAMILY OF GOD BENEDICTION (EVERYBODY): Jesus Christ has come and we have been saved from sin and given everlasting life,. We are thankful, we are grateful, we are blessed. May the LORD bless you so much that He gives youth desires of your heart and by faith, make everyday in Jesus, a happy day! CLOSING VIDEO SELECTION - “O’ HAPPY DAY” (Edwin Hawkins, Anthony Brown & 1st Baptist Choir, etc.)
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