Sunday December 24, 2025 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — Once in Royal David’s City — Jeffrey Blersch

Silent Meditation
WE DO NOT BELIEVE that the virgin mother gave birth to a son and that he is the Lord and Savior unless, added to this, I believe the second thing, namely, that he is my Savior and Lord.  – Martin Luther, “Sermon on the Afternoon of Christmas Day 1530”

Welcome — John 3:16

Lighting of the Advent Candles and the Christ Candle                                       
The Ballou Family (Casey, Lauren, Barrett, Hallie, and Cece)

Congregational Response — Light the Candle — Carl Schalk                                                                 

Christmas Eve Call to Worship
A voice cries, “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
       We wait at the manger with awe, ready for Jesus to come into the world.
We have been brought near to God as dearly loved children. 
       Let us glorify God tonight and celebrate again God’s gift of Jesus!

*Carol 133 — O Come, All Ye Faithful — ADESTE FIDELIS
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

*Prayer of Adoration and The Lord’s Prayer

Anthem — What Songs Were Sung — John Jacob Niles
Sarah Frederickson, soprano

A Service of Lessons and Carols

The First Lesson  — Isaiah 9: 2,6-7
The people who walk in darkness receive the promise of the Messiah.

Anthem — Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming — arr. Mark Hayes
Noah Reestman, baritone

The Second Lesson — Luke 1:26-35, 38
An angel appears to Mary and announces that she will bear a holy child.

Carol #101 — No Wind at the Window — COLUMCILLE

The Third Lesson — Luke 2:1, 3-7
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to her child.

Anthem — What Is This Lovely Fragrance? Arr. Healey Willan
Alleluia Singers

The Fourth Lesson — Luke 2:8-20
Angels appear to shepherds in the fields and announce the birth of the Messiah.

Carol #113 — Angels We Have Heard on High — GLORIA                                                             

The Fifth Lesson — Matthew 2:1-11
Magi from the East come seeking the Messiah and offer gifts to the baby Jesus.

Carol — The First Nowell — THE FIRST NOWELL
The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest; O’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three, Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in His presence, Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

The Sixth Lesson — John 1:1-14
The Word of God becomes flesh and lives among us, full of grace and truth.

Carol #132 — Good Christian Friends, Rejoice  IN DULCI JUBILO

Offertory — Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus/Angels We Have Heard on High  — arr. Jay Rouse
Kathy Leach, piano

The Spreading of the Light — Candlelight Carol — John Rutter                                     
Alleluia Singers

Carol — Silent Night — STILLE NACHT

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.

Benediction

*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, And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.

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.

*Postlude — Once in Royal David’s City — Jeffrey Blersch