Westminster Presbyterian Church
Christmas Program
2007
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Prelude
Opening Comment and Prayer Brian Cole
Once in Royal David’s City Adult Choir
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First Reading The Fall of Man Genesis 3:8–15
The Truth from Above Adult Choir
Second Reading God’s Promise to Abraham Genesis 22:15–18
Third Reading Christ’s Birth Foretold by the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Congregation Come, Thou
long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;
Born Thy
people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King,
Fourth Reading Messiah’s Righteousness Foretold Isaiah 11:1–5
Behold, a Branch Is Growing Congregation Behold, a Branch is growing of loveliest form and grace, As prophets sung, foreknowing; it springs from Jesse’s race And bears one little Flow’r in midst of coldest winter, At deepest midnight hour.
This Flow’r whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True Man, yet very God; from sin and death He saves us And lightens every load.
Fifth Reading The Truth and Justice of Christ Foretold Isaiah 42:1–7
Sixth Reading The Prophet Micah Foretells the Glory of Bethlehem Micah 5:2
O Little Town of Bethlehem Congregation O little town of Bethlehem, how
still we see thee lie;
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Seventh Reading The Angel Gabriel Comes to Mary Luke 1:26–38
Eighth Reading Mary’s Response Luke 1:46–55
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Congregation Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood, He will give to all the faithful His own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, As the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day, That the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim, with sleepless eye, Veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry, “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Ninth Reading The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1–7
The Hush of Christmas Children’s Choir
Silent Night Children’s Choir Tenth Reading The Angels Come to the Shepherds Luke 2:8–14
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Congregation Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the Everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’Incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”Angels We Have Heard on High CongregationAngels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come adore, on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Eleventh Reading The Shepherds’ Response Luke 2:15–20
The Shepherds’ Farewell Adult Choir
Twelfth Reading The Magi’s Response Matthew 2:1–12
Nowell, Sing Nowell Adult Choir
Thirteenth Reading The Great Mystery of the Incarnation John 1:1–14
Nativity Carol Adult Choir
Fourteenth Reading Our Response Titus 2:11–14 Joy to the World! Congregation Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.
O Come, All Ye Faithful Adult Choir/Congregation on last two verses O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
God of God, Light of Light; Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb: Very God, begotten, not created; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above; Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning: Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Closing Prayer Pastor Bordwine |