ORDER OF WORSHIP

GATHERING IN PRAISE AND PRAYER

PRELUDE: “What Child Is This?” arranged by Richard Purvis INTROIT (Please rise in body or spirit, as you are able.) PROCESSIONAL HYMN: #234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” stz. 1, 3, & 6

GREETING: The Reverend Sara Pugh Montgomery Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Let us pray. (Please be seated.) CHORAL CALL TO PRAYER PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: The Reverend Sara Pugh Montgomery THE LORD’S PRAYER: #895 CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: #242 “Love Came Down at Christmas,” stz. 1 (in unison)

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY: The Reverend David Wiggs

(Worshipers are asked to fill out the registration form as it is passed along the pew, then pass the form back down the row.) OFFERTORY: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” arr. by Susan Geschke Good Vibrations, Dr. Joel Panciera, director

DOXOLOGY: #95 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Please rise and sing.)

ANTHEM: “Where Riches Is Everlastingly” by Bob Chilcott The Chapel Choir and Alumni, Dr. Joel Panciera, director, Caleb Barrows, percussionist

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION: The Reverend Amy Venable (in unison)

THE HEBREW LECTION: Isaiah 61: 10-62: 3, page 692 Minister: This is the Word of Life. SERMON: The Reverend Amy Venable

(Please rise.) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: selections from #883 and #889 The Reverend EvaMarie Campbell Minister: We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.

(Please be seated.)

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

INVITATION: The Reverend EvaMarie Campbell Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

CONFESSION AND PARDON (bold text in unison)

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING: The Reverend David Wiggs Minister: The Lord be with you.

Minister: Lift up your hearts.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, our God, creator of heaven and earth. Your people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. You have increased our joy; the people rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest.

And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS (Please rise and sing.)

Minister: Let us pray. (Please be seated.)

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. We rejoice as your people, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. His name is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here. Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP (We celebrate an open table. All who are led to live a Christian life are welcome. If you would like to receive communion but are unable to come forward to the altar, please notify an usher, and the elements will be brought to you.) MUSIC DURING COMMUNION: “Cantique de Noël” by Adolphe Adam The Chapel Choir and Alumni, Becca Worthington, Amelia Huntsman, and Douglas Perry, soloists

SENDING FORTH

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE: John 1: 1-5, page 91 The Reverend Amy Venable

LIGHTING OF CANDLES

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Angels We Have Heard on High It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Joy to the World

LITANY OF BENEDICTION: The Reverend David Wiggs Minister: The Christmas candles will burn out, the carols will die away, and all the radiant, song-thrilled season will pass;

Minister: Remain to each of us, O Christ of Bethlehem, more beautiful, more beloved, more real than any of the romance that clusters around your birthday.

PASTORAL BENEDICTION

RECESSIONAL HYMN: #239 “Silent Night, Holy Night” (Please recess at the direction of the ushers.)

WELCOME TO BOSTON AVENUE!

If you have questions or need assistance, please ask one of the ushers.

If you are willing to tell us how we did, or would like more information about our church, please visit our website, bostonavenue.org, and fill out the brief visitor survey.

WORSHIP AIDS

Large print bulletins, glasses, hearing devices, and kids’ activity packs are available. Ask an usher for assistance!

2017 PLEDGES AND CHRISTMAS OFFERING

If you have not yet brought your 2017 pledge to completion, you may do so this evening. Be sure to mark your check “2017 Pledge” so that it will be credited correctly. If your pledge is complete and you are able to do so, we invite you to make a special Christmas offering to help spread God’s message of love and hope to those who need to hear it. This offering helps children and adults of all ages, locally and worldwide, through 15 different agencies.

SINGING OF HALLELUJAH CHORUS

You are invited to join us in Bishops’ Hall to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah immediately following the service.

PROGRAM STAFF

Rev. David Wiggs Brenda Reed; Angelyn Dale Rev. EvaMarie Campbell, Rev. Sara Pugh Montgomery, Rev. Amy Venable Dr. Joel Panciera; Dr. Susan Panciera Hayley Wheeler; Patty Banes Debbie Peterson; Jennifer Solis Paula Gradney-Garner Jose Luis Hernandez NATIVITY OF OUR LORD: CHRISTMAS EVE 11:00 PM

Senior Pastor Bishop of Oklahoma Council Oak District Superintendent