Worship Guide 122414 Christmas Eve 9 pm

Second Baptist Church

Decoding Advent Christmas Eve December 24, 2014 | 9:00 p.m.

The Worship of God Christmas Eve

December 24, 2014

9:00 p.m.

Gathering Meditation God, forgive us for being so busy during this season that we fail to set apart special moments to be alone with you. Be merciful to us when we are in such a hurry that we don’t pause long enough to wait on you. Help us bow the knees of our hearts before you and bring you the gifts of our time, love and adoration.

Invitation to Worship

Choral Call to Worship “Angels from the Realms of Glory” The Sanctuary Choir

Mike Lassister arr. Dan Forrest

+Carols of Christmas “Angels We Have Heard on High” 125 Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains: And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.

Glo-ri-a in excelsis Deo! Glo-ri-a in excelsis Deo! Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Glo-ri-a in excelsis Deo! Glo-ri-a in excelsis Deo! “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” 127 Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

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.”

(Children may join the pastor for the lighting of the Christ Candle on the last verse)

Lighting the Christ Candle Jason Edwards and Children

Litany Leaders: Joy to the world, The Lord is come!

People: Let earth receive her king!

Leaders: Joy to the world, The Lord is come!

People: Let every heart prepare him room!

Leaders: Joy to the world, The Lord is come!

People: Let heaven and nature sing!

All: Joy to the world, The Lord is come! +Carol of Joy 102

“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come”

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, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n 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, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

A Christmas Prayer

Kim Halfhill

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 2:1–20 Carolyn Fulk

Christmas Meditation

“Decoding Advent”

Jason Edwards

Communion The bread is gluten-free.

Children who have not yet been baptized are welcome to take a goldfish.

The fish was a symbol early Christians shared in their identity with Christ.

Candle Lighting +Carol of Christmas 134 “Silent Night, Holy Night” 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, 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.

Christmas Blessing +Postlude

Jason Edwards

“Angels We Have Heard on High” Douglas Maxwell

All Songs UBP CCLI #1091036

s

All Video UBP #502497070

All are invited to participate in a benevolence offering as you leave the sanctuary tonight. The offering will be used for congregational and local needs in the Liberty area. Deacons will be at the door to receive your gift.

300 E. Kansas | Liberty, Missouri 64068 | 816.781.2824 | 2bcliberty.org