Christ’s Reformed Church – United Church of Christ

~ growing people of faith who live in Jesus, love one another and bear abundant fruit ~

December 24, 2023

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT MORNING SERVICE

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

LIGHTING OF THE JOY CANDLE

John 1:6-8
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do

what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Elizabeth conceived and bore a child,

John, sent by God as a witness to testify to the light
so that all might believe through him.

John himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

John proclaimed that the true light which enlightens everyone,

was coming into the world.

We rekindle the candles of hope, peace and spirit.

Today we light the fourth candle of joy
testifying to the light of Christ. Amen

CALL TO WORSHIP
We will sing of your steadfast love, O God;
Forever, with our mouths we proclaim your faithfulness.
We declare your love, unending, unfailing
We will sing. We will sing.
Our never-ceasing songs shall show
The mercies of God for the ages to know
We declare your love, eternal, enduring
We will sing. We will sing.
Our song forever shall record
the tender mercies of the LORD;
We declare your love, immortal, sustaining
We will sing. We will sing.

INVOCATION
Let us pray:
God with us—
The one who take us from the tent to the throne—
The one who prepares places for us
And promises rest from our enemies—
we open our hearts and souls to the beauty of your kin-dom.
We seek to hear the precious news once again
that we might be continually renewed, transformed, and awed by your abundant love, everlasting
peace, miraculous hope, and quenchless joy.
May our praise and prayers be pleasing to you.
May our lives reflect the beauty you have birthed in us. Amen.

*HYMN It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (See Attachment)

*HYMN Angels We Have Heard On High (See Attachment)

Luke 1:57-66
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard

that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day they
came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his
mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this
name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He
asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately
his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all
their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All
who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For indeed the hand of
the Lord was with him.

Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged

to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her
husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to
divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in
a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will
save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through
the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him
Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of
the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had
given birth to a son,[b] and he named him Jesus.

The word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God

*HYMN Away In A Manger (See Attachment)

The Voices of Advent – Tamar, The Innkeeper’s Wife

SPECIAL MUSIC O Holy Night John Day

The Story of the Christmas Guest by Helen Steiner Rice

*HYMN OF RESPONSE What Child Is This (See Attachment)

CHRISTMAS COMMUNION

Lift up your Hearts

We life them to the Lord!

O God of wonder, we come to this table to be surrounded by the mystery of the heaven’s radiance. Lift
us from the ordinary that we may be touched by things extraordinary this day and with the choirs of
angels join in praising:
“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all people.”

We praise you for coming to humankind in ways we humans can grasp, for being born Child for all
children, and for living as Son of Man for all humankind that all people may be redeemed through Him.
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and
His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

We thank you that by Jesus’ death on a cross and through the triumph of Jesus’ resurrection we are
privileged to share now in the new life of Jesus Kingdom and at last to be united in the glorious company
of all the saints.
We have beheld Jesus’ glory, glory as the only son from God. From Jesus’ fullness we have all received
grace upon grace.

BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND POURING OF THE CUP

We remember the night when Jesus gathered at the table with his friends in a time of struggle and fear,
took bread, blessed it and gave it to them saying “Take and eat: for this is my body.” And after supper,
as Jesus looked forward to your desired day of joy and power; he took the cup of wine, again gave You
thanks and praise and said “Take this, all of you, and drink. This is the cup of the new covenant, my life
poured out for you. I will drink this with you again in the reign of God. Share this bread and this cup in
memory of me. “
 SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP TOGETHER

PRAYER
Come now, Holy Spirit of God –
As you were present at creation, be present now,
And let these gifts of bread and cup become for us the bread of life and the cup of blessing.
As you were sent by Jesus to accompany us on our journey of faith, be present now, and transform
this community, sharing this bread and cup, into one body in Christ. Amen

*HYMN The First Noel (See Attachment)

OFFERING

*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication for Offering

Generous God, we give thanks for all the beautiful resources you have given to us. Let these gifts bring
glory and honor to you and beauty and peace to your creation. Amen.

*HYMN OF SENDING Joy to the World (See Attachment)

*BENEDICTION
The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Go in hope, peace, joy, and love…to spread the beauty of Christmas.

*BENEDICTION SONG Go Tell It On The Mountain (See Attachment)

POSTLUDE

*Please stand in body or in spirit.

 The altar flowers are placed to the Glory of God and
in loving honor of her sons Tim Day and Paul Day
given by Shirley Day
Welcome to our Guests: We gather to praise “the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29). Because of Jesus, you can be at peace in
the assurance of God’s forgiveness and love.
Welcome to worship!! If you have come as a visitor,
we hope that you’ll leave as a friend who’s been
blessed by worshiping in this house of God. We look
forward to seeing you again.
December 25 Christmas Day – Office Closed
December 26 Office Closed
December 26 Historic Houses of Worship Tour from 3 PM to 7 PM
December 27 11 AM Lectionary
December 31 First Sunday after Christmas
January 1 New Year’s Day – Office Closed
January 6 8:30 Women’s Fellowship Breakfast
January 7 First Sunday after Epiphany – The Baptism of Christ w/Communion
Installation of 2024 Consistory
January 8 6:30 PM Consistory Meeting
January 14 Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25
Liturgist: Kayden McCauley
Altar Preparation: Art Crampton
Flower Deliverers Martin Fisher
Ushers: Larry Sprankle, Art Burgan, Dave Bedard, John Kessler,
Carol Ann Rossman
Financials for November 2023 YTD Jan-O 2023
Samaritan Acct Balance $ 574.88
Offerings $11,608.50* Offerings $119,264.93*
ATS Repayment $0 ATS Repayment $0
Endowment Interest $35,000.00 Endowment Interest $155,000.00
Expenses $28,587.81* Expenses $262,036.12*
Net Profit/Loss $18,020.69 Net Profit/Loss $12,228.81
*Elevator check from insurance company has been removed from these numbers.
Christ's Reformed Church Church Staff
Phone No: 301-733-4144 Margaret Bussard – Custodian
Fax No. 301-733-4145 Thomas Greenawalt - Technology Support
Church General email: Charlotte Trout - Consistory and ATS Board President
[email protected] Rev. Mary Jane Norville - Minister
Website: www.crcucc.org Cheryl Wilson - AA/Organist
Morning Worship 9:30 am
YouTube: CRC Christ’s Reformed Church