ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Thursday, December 24; Nativity of the Lord
(Prior to service) – An Outdoor Time for Singing Carols (weather permitting)
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
***WE GATHER BEFORE GOD***
OPENING PRAYER
All: God of grace and love, we give you thanks for this night and all that it represents. We thank you for the hope you bring to the world, for the peace you instill in our hearts, for the joy you pour out on us, and for your holy love, which floods all your creation. Most of all, we praise you for your son, Jesus Christ, your holy Word made flesh. Let him light our way to your divine kingdom. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
All: We are a people of hope. Our hearts are full of anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. For God will be among us, and we will see a great light coming through the night. Let us light the candle of hope.
(The first purple candle is lit)
All: We are a people who seek peace. God has turned us away from the sword, and into instruments to benefit all humanity. In the name of the Child who was born to be the Prince of Peace, we light the candle of peace.
(The second purple candle is lit)
All: Joy to the world! Our God comes to bring us the Good News! Let us sing songs of praise and gladness! Let us light the candle of joy.
(The third pink candle is lit)
All: We are a people who seek to be brought together in the love of Jesus Christ. God’s love is unconditional, and God’s forgiveness is eternal. As we are assured of God’s grace, let us light the candle of love.
(The fourth purple candle is lit)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Remain seated, but greet your neighbor with a sign of Christ’s peace)
***THE WORD OF GOD***
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Second Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
Third Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-14
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Fourth Scripture Reading: Luke 2:15-20
CHRISTMAS HOMILY – “Fearless Faith”
***RESPONSE TO THE WORD***
OFFERTORY PRAYER & DOXOLOGY
*APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
***CELEBRATION OF LIGHT***
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
All: For unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior is born, and the order of the world will be upon his shoulders. With the birth of Jesus our lives are changed forever. We light this candle to represent that Christ is truly at the center of our lives.
(The Christ candle is lit)
DISTRIBUTION OF THE LIGHT
CLOSING PRAYER AND BENEDICTION
INSTRUMENTAL RECESSIONAL HYMN – “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Thursday, December 24; Nativity of the Lord
(Prior to service) – An Outdoor Time for Singing Carols (weather permitting)
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
***WE GATHER BEFORE GOD***
OPENING PRAYER
All: God of grace and love, we give you thanks for this night and all that it represents. We thank you for the hope you bring to the world, for the peace you instill in our hearts, for the joy you pour out on us, and for your holy love, which floods all your creation. Most of all, we praise you for your son, Jesus Christ, your holy Word made flesh. Let him light our way to your divine kingdom. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
All: We are a people of hope. Our hearts are full of anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. For God will be among us, and we will see a great light coming through the night. Let us light the candle of hope.
(The first purple candle is lit)
All: We are a people who seek peace. God has turned us away from the sword, and into instruments to benefit all humanity. In the name of the Child who was born to be the Prince of Peace, we light the candle of peace.
(The second purple candle is lit)
All: Joy to the world! Our God comes to bring us the Good News! Let us sing songs of praise and gladness! Let us light the candle of joy.
(The third pink candle is lit)
All: We are a people who seek to be brought together in the love of Jesus Christ. God’s love is unconditional, and God’s forgiveness is eternal. As we are assured of God’s grace, let us light the candle of love.
(The fourth purple candle is lit)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Remain seated, but greet your neighbor with a sign of Christ’s peace)
***THE WORD OF GOD***
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Second Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
Third Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-14
INSTRUMENTAL CAROL – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Fourth Scripture Reading: Luke 2:15-20
CHRISTMAS HOMILY – “Fearless Faith”
***RESPONSE TO THE WORD***
OFFERTORY PRAYER & DOXOLOGY
*APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God the Father, almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
***CELEBRATION OF LIGHT***
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
All: For unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior is born, and the order of the world will be upon his shoulders. With the birth of Jesus our lives are changed forever. We light this candle to represent that Christ is truly at the center of our lives.
(The Christ candle is lit)
DISTRIBUTION OF THE LIGHT
CLOSING PRAYER AND BENEDICTION
INSTRUMENTAL RECESSIONAL HYMN – “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
