Sermon Tone Analysis

Welcome

by Pastor Sommer

Call To Worship

Leader: Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you great news of great joy for all the people!

Everyone: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10).

Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Everyone: And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory.

(John 1:1-3)

Leader: Let us dance with delight in the Lord and let our hearts be filled with rejoicing.

Everyone: for eternal salvation has appeared on the earth.

Alleluia!

(from the Liturgy of Hours, 20th c.)

Video

Lighting of the Candle of Hope

Reading of Luke 1:26-38

Prayer:

O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grant that His Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us.

Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

HYMN

Lighting of the Candle of Peace

Reading of Matthew 1:18-25

Prayer:

O Almighty God, by the birth of your holy Child Jesus, you gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness.

Grant that in His light we may see Light.

Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people, so that the likeness of your Son may be formed in us, and that we may have the ever brightening hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen

HYMN

Lighting of the Candle of Joy

Reading of Luke 2:1-7

Prayer:

Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of your Son.

Let the star of your hope touch the minds of all people with the bright beams of mercy and truth; and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us, as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy to the manger where he swelled, who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

HYMN

Lighting of the Candle of Love

Reading Luke 2:8-20

Prayer:

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love.

When our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the virgin Mary.

To our lives he brings you and peace, justice, mercy, and love.

May we see the story of Christmas unfold before our very eyes.

May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to Him, who is God-with-us and Savior of also, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

HYMN

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Prayer:

Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of your Son.

Let the star of your hope touch the minds of all people with the bright beams of mercy and truth; and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us, as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy to the manger where he dwelled, who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Video

HYMN: Silent Night and the lighting of the congregational candles

Blessing:

May the Christ who by his Incarnation gathered into One things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Benediction:

Go Forth in peace and joy.

Thanks be to God.

Alleluia!