GREENWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH, Presbyterian

805 Main Avenue Warwick, Rhode Island

CHRISTMAS EVE 2020 7:00 P.M.

Silent prayer for use in preparation for worship:

God Most High, Your only Son embraced the weakness of flesh, to give us power to become Your children. Your eternal Word chose a dwelling

among us, that we might live in Your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory You have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, Your Word made

flesh, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, one God forever and ever. Amen.

From the Book of Common Worship

PRELUDE It Came Upon the Midnight Clear arr. Marilynn Ham

John Black, Piano Christmas Fantasy arr. Sigurd Ogaard

Alexandra Nichols, Violin *CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 9:1,2,6,7

In the latter time He will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT, THOSE WHO DWELT IN A LAND OF DEEP DARKNESS, ON THEM HAS LIGHT SHINED.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.

AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

*PRAYER OF ADORATION (in unison):

GLORY TO YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD, FOR YOU SENT YOUR ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE NEW LIFE. GLORY TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST, FOR YOU BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, THAT WE MIGHT BECOME YOUR PEOPLE. GLORY TO YOU, O HOLY SPIRIT, FOR YOU FILL OUR HEARTS AND DIRECT OUR LIVES. GLORY TO YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD, AND TO YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND FOREVER, AMEN.

*HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful

THE CANDLES OF ADVENT

THE LIGHT OF HOPE

SCRIPTURE Matthew 1:18-25

*HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem

THE LIGHT OF LOVE

SCRIPTURE Luke 2:1-7

SOLO O Holy Night arr. Adolphe Adam Olivia Black, Soprano

*HYMN Away In a Manger Eiriana Fairbairn Summers, Violin

THE LIGHT OF JOY

SCRIPTURE Luke 2:8-15

*HYMN How Great Our Joy!

THE LIGHT OF PEACE

SCRIPTURE Luke 2:16-20

SOLO All Is Well arr. Lloyd Larson Molli Swiatek, Soprano

HYMN (remain seated) What Child Is This?

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

MEDITATION CHRISTMAS NOSTALGIA

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERING

Offertory I Wonder As I Wander John Jacob Niles Stephen Parkinson, Baritone

*Doxology *Prayer of Dedication

LIGHTING THE CONGREGATIONAL CANDLES *HYMN Silent Night! Holy Night!

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Toccata on “Deo Gratias” Richard K. Biggs *(the people standing, as able)

CCLI LICENSE #1301953