Christmas
AT PE AC H T R EE
COMMUNION SERVICE 12:00 PM
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:1–7
Dear Friends, Welcome to Christmas at Peachtree Church! The celebration of Jesus’ birth is one of those magical moments when heaven and earth seem so close to one another, as if the supernatural is breaking through the barriers of what holds us apart from God as well as others. The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus in this way: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Over 2,000 years ago, as Jesus was born, God came to earth as a baby and nothing would ever be the same. I pray that you are drawn to the manger of our Savior, Jesus Christ, born that night and you will leave changed forever. I am so glad that you are with us, and I hope you will consider returning to worship with us. To give you a little taste of what is to come, our Christmas present to you (as you exit the service) is a copy of a new book by Bob Goff. The title of the book is Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People. Bob gives a pathway for a more liberated existence by revealing a truth as simple to say as it is hard to do: love people, even difficult ones, without inhibition, insecurity, or restriction. To kick off the new year, Bob will be speaking at Peachtree on January 6. We would love for you to join us. Our Christmas tradition at Peachtree is for our offering to construct a home for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. It is our 155th home! We are reminded that the One who had no place to lay His head came to bring us to His Father’s house. A safe dwelling is a signpost of God’s eternal provision and greatest invitation. With Christmas joy,
Dr. Richard Kannwischer Peachtree Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA
Prelude & Chiming of the Hour Introit Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted from Messiah, G. F. Handel Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill made low; The crooked straight and the rough places plain. — Isaiah 40:4
Welcome & Call to Worship†
Pastor: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. People: He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. Pastor: In Him was life, and that light was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. People: Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus Christ. Pastor: From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. People: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. All:
O come, let us adore Him! — from John 1
Carol†
O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fidelis, arr. John Rutter O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; Refrain Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. Refrain
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
† Those who are able, please stand. 4
Pr ayer of Confession
God of light, Who shines brightly in this world; Your grace is more abundant than our sinfulness. We confess that we focus more on our own concerns than the glory You reveal in our midst. Forgive our sin, doubt, and preoccupation, and renew in us the spirit of wonder that we may hear the good news of Jesus. Open us to the joy of Christmas as we continue our confessions in silence…
Assur ance of God’s Forgiveness Congregational Response † Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
SCR IPT UR E R E A DING: ISA I A H 9:6 – 7 Carol The First Nowell The First Nowell The first Nowell, the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought, And with His blood mankind hath bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel!
SCR IPT UR E R E A DING: M AT THEW 2:1 – 12
† Those who are able, please stand. 5
Anthem Some Children See Him Alfred Burt Some children see Him lily white, The baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, With tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heav’n to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, With dark and heavy hair.
The children in each different place Will see the baby Jesus’ face Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, And filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing And with thy heart as offering, Come worship now the infant King. ’Tis love that’s born tonight!
Some children see Him almond-eyed, This Savior whom we kneel beside. Some children see Him almond-eyed, With skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, Sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, And, ah! they love Him, too!
Christmas Pr ayer Offertory Maria Wiegenlied (Mary’s Lullaby) Max Reger Translation: Mary is sitting among the roses and rocks the baby Jesus child; Through the leaves quietly blows the warm, summer breeze. At her feet sings a colorful bird: “Sleep, sweet child, Sleep now! Happy is your smile, holy is your deep sleep, Put your tired head gently on your mother’s breast. Sleep, sweet child, Sleep now.”
Meditation
SIMPLY GENIUS Jay M a dden · Pa stor for Mission
† Those who are able, please stand. 6
COM MUNION Pastor: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. People: Make us one with Christ and with all who share this feast. Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory. Pastor: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are Yours, almighty God, forever and ever. And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray… People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Words of Institution Communion Anthem O Holy Night Adolphe Adam Pr ayer of Thanksgiving Carol† Joy to the World Antioch Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.
Benediction † Postlude
† Those who are able, please stand. 7
LE A DING THE WOR SHIP Jay Madden Pastor for Mission Scott Tucker Pastor for Grand Adults
LE A DING MUSIC IN WOR SHIP Clay Hilley Soloist Steven Wooddell Organist
LIGHTING THE A DV ENT W R E ATH Becky & Howard Young; Coley & Judson Cuttino; Laura & Billy Morgan; Jana Young; Jane Young
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And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7
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Habitat for Hum anit y Imagine preparing for the birth of your child and having nowhere to go, and the relief that comes when you have a place that you can call your own. Through our Christmas offering, we will have the opportunity to provide the gift of first-time homeownership to a family through our partnership with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, and housing to families impacted by Hurricane Michael in the gulf of Florida. Join us by giving today and volunteering during our next Habitat build March 16-May 11. Let us prepare room for our neighbors!
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YOU’RE INVITED JANUARY 6! Join us in welcoming Bob Goff, author of Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People. Bob will preach at all services.
JOIN US ON SUNDAYS Communion in Wilson Chapel: Sundays at 8:20 am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 8:45 and 10:00 am Contemporary Worship in Sanctuary: Sundays at 11:15 am For more information about joining Peachtree, please contact Rebecca Madden, Connections Director, at 404.842.2173 or RMadden@PeachtreeChurch.com. To learn more about Peachtree Presbyterian Church, visit us at PeachtreeChurch.com.
3434 Roswell Road NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 PeachtreeChurch.com | 404.842.5800