At Inglewood we try to involve all age groups inworship as much as possible. For this servicethe children created a banner of many of thenames of Jesus; Scripture readers representedevery age group; high schoolers distributedcandles; the junior high group lit the candles. Both adultand children’s choirs participated in the service. Thenames of Jesus were projected on a screen as the serviceprogressed.
Prelude
God’s Greeting
Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” CH 249, PH 41, PsH 340, SFL 102, TH 208, WR 182
Opening Sentences
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. (Isa. 9:2)
Jesus Christ is our life and light.
In his name and in his power let us worship God.
O come, let us adore him—
whose coming was announced by the prophets.
O come, let us adore him—
whose message was proclaimed by the angels.
O come, let us adore him—
whose glory was hailed by the shepherds.
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Song: “Come, Lord Jesus” SNC 103, SWM 13
Introduction to the Theme
Leader: Every Christmas we retell the story of Jesus’ birth—a pivotal event in the grandest of all narratives. Jesus’ birthfulfilled all the promises Godmade in the Old Testament.Jesus’ life, death, and resurrectionrevealed God’s visionfor life to all his children. Ourcandlelight service is one waywe celebrate Jesus’ birth eachChristmas. Candles play a centralrole in this service becauseJesus is revealed to us as God’s light for the world. Thisyear we focus on the life and ministry of the one who wasborn for us.
Did you know that there are a few hundred names for
Jesus in the Bible? Each name says something special about
Jesus. It seems no single name can explain who Jesus is
or what he means for us. Not even all the names together
can capture his being. Tonight we dwell on some of these
names as we celebrate his birth.
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
Song: “Jesus, Name Above All Names” CH 86, SNC 114, WR 177
Poem: “He Who Would Be Great Among You” (Luci Shaw,
A Widening Light)
Anthem: “Still” by Jean Anne Shafferman (Alfred Pub.)
The Names of Jesus in the Prophets
Leader: Under the rule of human kings, Israel repeatedly fell away from their faithful relationship with God. Through the prophets, God called them to repentance, warned them of punishment, and promised a restoration of his favor in the form of one who would lead them, heal them, and be God’s very presence among them.
Immanuel
Carol: “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” CH 245, PH 9, PsH 328, SWM 81, SFL 123, TH 194, WR 154
Scripture: Isaiah 7:14
Song: “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” CH 243, SNC 117, WR 178
Son of David, Branch of Jesse
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-12; Revelation 22:16
Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” CH 255, PH 48, PsH 351, TH 221, WR 190
The Names Used in Jesus’ Life and Ministry
Leader: The gospels tell of the arrival and the activities of this promised one. Angels, magi, John the Baptizer, and Jesus himself gave new names and descriptive phrases to this gift, as God became flesh and instituted a new covenant with his people.
Shepherd
Scripture: Isaiah 40:10-11; John 10:11, 14-16
Vocal solo: Psalm 23, sung by a child
or
“He Shall Feed His Flock” (G. F. Handel, Messiah), solo, duet, or organ solo
Scripture: John 3:16-18
Song: “For God So Loved the World” PsH 219, TH 514
The Names Used in Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
Leader: The fact that God would send his Son to pay the price for the sins of his people was lost on those people. Even Jesus’ disciples thought the Messiah would restore earthly glory to Israel through military action. No one was prepared to witness the unjust execution of the promised one, any more than they were prepared to accept his resurrection. Throughout history this has been a stumbling block for the Jews and a wonderful mystery to Christians.
Savior Redeemer
Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-14; Isaiah 63:16
Carol: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” CH 244, PH 1, PsH 329, SWM 83, SFL 122, TH 196, WR 153
Anthem: “Lord God Almighty” SNC 9
Lamb of God
Scripture: Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:12
Song: “You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd” SNC 182, WR 99
Liturgical Dance to “Lamb of God” (Twila Paris)
The Names Used in Jesus’ Reign
Leader: Once he completed the work his Father had sent him to do, Jesus returned to him and received all authority over creation, ruling at the right hand of Almighty God. He sent his Spirit to live in each of the members of his new covenant, helping them to understand what had been said and done, and moving them to invite all humankind to celebrate God’s act of grace.
King of Glory, King of Kings
Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10; Revelation 19: 11, 15-16
Song: “We Will Glorify” CH 105, SNC 21, SFL 18, WR 337 His Name Shall Be Called . . . Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Carol: “Once in Royal David’s City” CH 286, PH 49, PsH 346, TH 225, WR 183
Anthem: “Sing to the Holy Child” (Patrick M. Liebergen, Harold Flammer Music)
Light of the World
Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-3; John 1:4, 5, 9
Candle Lighting
Anthem: “O Jesus, Grant Me Hope and Comfort” (Johann Wolfgang Franck, arr. Carl Stein, Belwin-Mills)
Carol: “A Candle Is Burning” (Sandra Dean, Tune: “Away in a Manger”)
Children’s Choir: “Good News/Deo Gracias” (Natalie Sleeth)
Poem: “Lighter of Lights” (A Book of Blessings, Ruth Burgess), children’s choir used as leader
Extinguish Candles
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” stanzas 1, 2 CH 277, PH 31, PsH 345, TH 203, WR 185
The Lord’s Blessing
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” stanza 3 CH 277, PH 31, PsH 345, TH 203, WR 185
Postlude: “For unto Us a Child Is Born” (G. F. Handel)