12/25/22 Bulletin & Order of Service

Christmas Day

Contemporary Worship - 10 AM

December 25, 2022

*Please stand as you are able.

Prelude

"A Christmas Memory" by Ira B. Wilson

John Richardson, Piano

Rick Nay, Organ

Welcome, Announcements, & Prayer (Click here to check-in)

Rev. Bob Martin

*Praise & Worship

"Joy to the World"

*Passing the Peace

Worship with Our Tithes and Offerings (Click here to GIVE)

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" arr. H. Simeone

Chancel Choir

Christmas Message

“The Greatest Gift” Rev. Margaret Rountree

Text: Luke 2:8-14 ESV

Sacrament of Holy Communion

* Hymn of Dedication

“Go Tell It on the Mountain” Number 251

*Benediction

POSTLUDE

"Joy To The World" by Robert J. Hughes

Rick Nay, Organist

Thank you for joining us!

Merry Christmas!

A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARGE I love when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. In fact, I think it should always be on a Sunday. I think it would be easier to hold on to the real meaning of Christmas if it were on a Sunday and the day began not with the frenzy of presents under the tree, but with worship in the family of God. I think that is the way it ought to be. Today, on this beautiful Christmas morning, we celebrate a gift that was so costly we could work the rest of our lives and do 1,000,000 good deeds yet we could never repay God for the gift he has given to us, the Christ child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Out of all the places the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords was to be born, it was not in a palace, it was not in a castle with a silver spoon in His mouth, He was born into the messiness that is just this average, everyday horse stable in a little town that is not even that great, Bethlehem. Jesus was born into the messiness and guess what? He knew exactly what he was stepping into, and He continues to be a pro in stepping into the messiness of your life and the messiness of my life.

In Luke 2:8-14, we read the all too familiar story of an angel making the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds who are out in a field watching over their flock at night. This is such a hugely important Scripture passage, especially verse 11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Out of all the things the angel wanted to declare, the angel wanted the shepherds to know, and they want us to know today, that Jesus was born to be a Savior. The angel did not call him Teacher, and he was a teacher. He grew up and taught. The angel did not call him Rabbi. And he grew up and was a rabbi. And the angel did not call him a religious figure. But He was, he started a whole new religion after all.