South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

Christmas Day
December 25, 2005

Let the prelude be a curtain of music which brings us into the sanctuary to worship God.
 Let necessary conversation be gentle and the preparation we make together be prayerful.

PRELUDE Noël anglais  J. Woodman

WELCOME

Introduction of Visitors and Guests

Announcements
Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT     The Holly and the Ivy     English Traditional

INVOCATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

Rejoice, people of God!

For the light has come into the world.

With the company of heaven and with sounds of great joy
we ponder the holy birth of Jesus Christ.
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed a time when
those who walked in the shadows would see a light.
A child would be born, and his name would be called
Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace.

Thanks be to God, our life and light,
for connecting heaven and earth with hope.

In every corner of the world may that light shine with peace.

In every corner of our hearts,
may that light shine with Holy grace.

May our song and ministry radiate the light of Christ.

Shine on us, O God of justice.
Guide our path through gloom of night.
Bear within us wisdom’s glory.
Come to us, O Christ the light.
Glory be to God and peace on earth.
Christ is born!  Alleluia!

* HYMN Joy to the World! The Lord    # 130 blue

INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER

SCRIPTURE     Matthew 1: 18 - 25     (in bulletin)

LET THE CHILDREN COME        Laura Rex

* HYMN  Away in a Manger  # 137 blue

SCRIPTURE       Hebrews 1: 1 - 3      (in bulletin)

SERMON        Overhearing the Story      Dr. Mutti

* HYMN  In the Bleak Midwinter # 36 red

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation
Offertory  Wither’s Rocking Hymn   R. Vaughan Williams

* Doxology

* Dedication Prayer            

* HYMN        Good Christian Friends, Rejoice  # 28 red

* BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE   In dulci jubilo J. S. Bach

*   Those who are able may stand.

Participating in Today's Service:
Joyce Holloway and Madelaine Gray, Acolytes
Jim Vanderpol, Deacon
Aline Dargie, Youth
Megan Sharp, Soprano

I said to the man, who stood at the gate of the year,
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light
and safer than a known way!”

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills
and the breaking of day in the lone East.

King George VI of Great  Britain
Christmas Broadcast, 1939