December 24, 2005

Call to Worship
Leader: Behold, I bring you good news of great joy;
People: The Lord is King!
Let the earth rejoice and be glad.
Leader: Go out of the gates and build the road for the people,
Prepare a highway; clear it of stones;
lift high a banner for all people.
People: The Lord is exalted over all the earth.
Leader: Your Savior comes; ready to do as he said he would,
prepared to complete what he promised.
All: Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth, peace among those he favors!
Prayer of Invocation

Hymns Hark the Herald Angels sing HWB 201
Joy to the World HWB 318
Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
Hymn To us a child of hope HWB 189
Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-7
Hymn Away in the Manger MH 472
Scripture Reading Luke 2:8-14
Hymn The first Noel HWB 199
Scripture Reading Luke 2:15-20
Hymn What child is this? HWB 215
Children's Story "Candy Cane"
Hymn O come all ye Faithful HWB 212

Hearing

Gifts for Jesus - all are welcome to share music or stories
Story - "Latest from Bethlehem" Jim Parks
Hymns Angels We have heard HWB 197
It came upon the midnight HWB 195

Responding

Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Offering/Hymn Praise God from Whom HWB 119
Announcements
Hymn Silent Night HWB 193
Benediction

Today

Sermon: Gifts for Jesus

Worship Leader: Roy and Maren Hange
Music: Dottie Scott, Alderfers

Announcements

Jeannine will be out of town for the following two Sundays, so please send bulletin information to Maren for Jan. 1 & 8.

Prayers and Praises

VMBM: Philip Rhodes is returning to the Maranatha School and Ridge MC for several weeks to help rebuild hurricane damage and encourage the young believers there. Ask God to give him strength and guidance.

Mennonite Mission Network: Pray for the RAD (Reaching and Discipling) teams who are adjusting to their host cultures in Argentina, Sweden and Thailand. Ask God to place in them a servant's heart, willing to take on new ventures and building relationships with open minds and enthusiasm.

Pray for the local services for people in need: Love Inc., Shelter for Help in Emergency, Food Bank, Salvation Army, CAISC--a justice ministry and PACEM-- the initiative for the homeless.

The four hostages in Iraq who are from Christian Peacemaker Team, their families, their support teams (Tom Fox has informal connections to Northern Virginia Mennonite Church), CPT leadership Carol Rose and Doug Pritchard, the hostage takers, the negotiators and everyone who is involved and affected by this.

Gathering in Christ's name

Hearing

Responding

Today

Announcements

Prayers and Praises