First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Christmas Eve Worship
7:00 P.M. December 24, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC Carol of the Bells Arr. Boyce
He Is Born Arr. Kinyon
Celebration Ringers
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 96: 1-2
O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord; bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Wreath – Christmas Eve
Today, we gather to remember with the prophet Isaiah…
All: We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah.
We light the Christ candle as a sign of the glory that came among us in unexpected places and to unexpected people, that we may be people who seek and follow the glory of the Christ child here and now.
Light the center candle of the Advent wreath.
ADVENT CANDLE RESPONSE136 (refrain) Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy.
To us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace! Let us go now to Bethlehem.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 143 Angels From the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth;
You who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant Light; Refrain
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations, you have seen his natal star; Refrain
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: Refrain
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
Great and glorious God, through Jesus Christ our Savior you have shown us that the blessed age of grace has appeared and the hoped-for time of salvation has come. Yet we cling to the glories of the present age— worldly passions and impious pursuits, self-indulgent, crooked, and ungodly ways. Redeem us from evil and cleanse us from sin, through Christ, who gave himself for us, so that we might be your people, holy and whole.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Hear this good news of great joy: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Thanks be to God.
PASSING THE PEACE
As God has forgiven us in Christ let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Please share the sign of peace with one another.
The sharing of Christ’s peace.
RESPONSE Peace is Flowing Like a River TRADITIONAL
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Titus 2: 11-14
SPECIAL MUSIC Run, Shepherds Johnson
Chancel Choir
Run, shepherds, run and see the Baby! Run, shepherds, to Bethlehem! See the Baby born, the Great I AM! There’s star in the east on Christmas morn. It will lead to the place where the Savior’s born. If you take good heed to the angel’s words, you’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds.
SECOND SCRIPTURE Luke 2: 1-14
MESSAGE God is with Us! Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory One Small Child Arr. Hayes
*DOXOLOGY 110 (Vs 3) Love Has Come BRING A TORCH
Love has come and never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free. Love is
Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our
hearts are seeking. Love! Love! Love is the gift of
Christmas. Love! Praise to you, God on high!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 103 (Vs. 1 & 3) Come, Now, O Prince of Peace O-SO-SO
Come now, O Prince of Peace; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Gracious God,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In Unison)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Candle lighting: The Candle lighters will come through the isles lighting the candle of the person on the end of the row. Then the person will light the candle next to them until all candles are lit. Please be sure to hold the candles upright so wax does not drip on the carpet. I will tell you when to put the lit candles out.
*HYMN 122 Silent Night STILLE NACHT
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing:
“Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!”
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Silent night! Holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King:
Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Your church staff extends the warmest of season’s greetings to all! We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you in our Lord’s work at First Presbyterian Church of Niles. May you feel God’s presence in the candles that softly spread their glow at Christmas and may you experience the wonder of His abiding love, as He guides you through each day of the coming year. May God’s Blessings be with you this Christmas and in the New Year!
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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