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CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
2025
“Christmas Joy”
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Troy, NY
QUIETING OUR HEARTS BEFORE GOD
Scripture for Meditation:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ” (Luke 2:10-11)
Pre-Service Music
“Carol Medley” arr. Giliam/McCaskill
Roslyn Zurmuhlen, flute
“Jesus, Joy of Highest Heaven” Keith & Kristen Getty
Acoustic Worship Team
“A Call to Christmas” Adam Miller
Choir
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God is here! The Messiah has come! Let us open our eyes to see Him, lift our voices to praise Him, and surrender our hearts in worship of Him.
All: (#182) “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
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!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God, all glory 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 all glory given;
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!
Leader: We have come to exalt the name of Jesus, our Savior and our Lord. Let us call upon the Lord, who is worthy of our praise, for He has come to save us from death into eternal life.
*INVOCATION (Unison Prayer)
All glory to You, almighty God, for the gift of Your Son, light in the darkness and the hope of the world, whom, out of Your great love, You sent to save us from the condemnation that our sins deserve. With the angels in heaven, empower us to praise Your holy name, and to tell all the world the story of Your amazing grace, that all might behold Your majesty, receive Your peace, and become Your faithful servants who walk in the light of Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the praise of Your glory. Amen.
*OPENING SONG
(#189) “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (vv. 1, 2, 4)
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:
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.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King!
THE PROMISE OF GOD’S DELIVERANCE
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9:1-7
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past [God] humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future [God] will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan –
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
READYING OUR HEARTS
TO RECEIVE GOD’S DELIVERANCE
CALL TO REPENTANCE
The Holy Spirit has shone the light of God’s love into our hearts, giving us faith to believe that the darkness of our sin has been dispelled by the coming of Christ in the flesh. Let us, therefore, go to God’s throne of grace, confessing our sins.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION (after silent personal confession)
Wonderful Counselor, we confess that we have listened to the advice of the dark world around us. We have let the gloom of the nations and the difficulties of our personal lives blind us to the light of Your love. Forgive us. Mighty God, we confess that we have ascribed too much power to the forces of evil in this world of sin. We have failed to recognize You as glorious Sovereign over all. Forgive us. Everlasting Father, we confess that in our daily dilemmas we have forgotten the great forgiving love that prompted Christ to become one of us that He might die for us. We have not always sought to live in Your light. Forgive us. Prince of Peace, we confess that we have not recognized the peace that You have brought to our discordant lives. It does not fill our hearts and minds. Forgive us. Have mercy upon us we pray.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
To us a Child is born; to us God’s Son is given! Christ’s eternal reign has broken through to our time and place with the brilliant light of His mercy and forgiveness. All your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
A SONG OF HOPE
*HYMN (#154) “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (vv. 1, 2)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Day spring come and cheer
our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
THE TIME OF PROMISED FULFILLMENT
ANNOUNCED
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND (Isaiah 9:6)
Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.
People: And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hymn (#153) “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever,
now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit
raise us to Thy glorious throne.
THE PROPHECY OF THE COMING SAVIOR FULFILLED
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND (Isaiah 60:1)
Leader: Arise, shine, for your light has come;
People: And the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
“Shine on Us” Michael W. & Debbie Smith
Acoustic Worship Team
THE GOOD NEWS PROCLAIMED
FROM HEAVEN
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND (Luke 1:68)
Leader: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel;
People: Because He has come and has redeemed His people.
*Hymn (#185) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
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 heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the God head see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”
THE GOOD NEWS SHARED AMONG HUMANKIND
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15)
Leader: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son;
People: That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Leader: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
ANTHEM: “O Holy Light” Mary McDonald
Choir
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
CHRISTMAS MEDITATION: “Christmas Joy”
*HYMN: (#187) “O Holy Night” Adolphe Adam
Acoustic Worship Team
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night!
O night, O night divine!
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing heart by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need,
He guards us from all danger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name, all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raising,
Let all within us praise His Holy name.
Christ is the Lord!
O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Leader: Glory to You, almighty God, for You sent Your only begotten Son, that we might have new life.
People: Glory to You, Majestic God!
Leader: Glory to You, O Christ, splendor of God’s eternal glory, the mighty Word, sustaining the universe: renew our lives by Your presence.
People: Strengthen our faith that we may live wholly for You!
Leader: Glory to You, precious Lord, born into our world in the fullness of time for the liberation of all creation; release all into Your promised freedom.
People: Free us from our bondage to sin that we might walk in Your love!
Leader: Praise be to You, blessed Jesus, begotten of the Father before all time, born in a stable at Bethlehem, may Your church be a sign to our world of the hope and joy that You offer to all who come to You in faith.
People: May the light of Your love shine through us to the honor of Your Holy Name!
Leader: Praise be to You, merciful Savior, truly God and truly human, born to a people in fulfillment of their deepest longings; fulfill our desires.
People: Transform our hearts that You might be our hearts desire!
Leader: Blessed be You, O Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, child of wonder and splendor, mighty God of all ages, Prince of Peace: may the whole world be filled with Your glory and live in Your grace and peace.
People: May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts as we offer ourselves to You!
Leader: (in this section there is time for silent personal prayer)
Hear us, Loving God as we offer our hearts and lives to You in this time of prayer.
May Your hand of blessing and strength be upon those who are dear to us and need Your loving, healing touch. We pray for those who are sick, or hurting, or grieving during this Christmas season – we pray for: . . .
As You care for us, we ask You to watch over those whom You have placed in leadership over us. May You grant wisdom and compassion to those in positions of authority in our church, our community, our nation, and our world. We name before you: . . . We also pray for those who serve us that we might live in freedom – for those who serve to keep the peace in our communities and for those who seek to do the same in faraway places – far removed from family and friends at this time. We name before you: . . .
During this special season of celebration and thanks, as we remember Your good and gracious gift of Your Son, Jesus, we pray Your saving and sustaining hand upon those who do not know You: we pray for: . . . May they come to know the joy of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Merciful Father, hear these our prayers, and take our hopes and cares, and work Your good and perfect will in our lives, in the lives of the ones we love, and most especially in the lives of those who are longing and searching for meaning and hope. May they find You this Christmas season.
All: Eternal and All-powerful God, the coming of Your Light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. As we receive Your gift of life and hope in Christ, teach us to proclaim the grace that is ours through Christ; and empower us, through Your Holy Spirit, to demonstrate Your love in what we do and what we say. And may we be faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ all the days of our lives, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GIFT
WITH OUR GIFTS AND OUR LIVES
INVITATION AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
OFFERTORY: Sinfonia from Messiah G. F. Handel
SPREADING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
Leader: Tonight we celebrate the coming of Christ, the Light of the world. Our candles bear witness to Light, and brighten this time of celebration.
Lighting of the first candle on the Advent Wreath.
People: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not one thing came into being. (John 1:1-3)
Hymn (#101) “Name of All Majesty” (v. 1)
Name of all majesty, fathomless mystery,
King of the ages by angels adored;
Power and authority, splendor and dignity,
Bow to His mastery – Jesus is Lord!
Leader: By the light of God’s creating Word we are led to the brighter light of faith in Him.
Lighting of the second candle on the Advent Wreath.
People: What has come into being in Him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)
Hymn (#101) “Name of All Majesty” (v. 2)
Child of our destiny, God from eternity,
Love of the Father on sinners outpoured;
See now what God has done sending His only Son,
Christ the beloved One – Jesus is Lord!
Leader: With the coming of God’s Son, our Emmanuel, the light shines still more brightly.
Lighting of the third candle on the Advent Wreath.
People: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to what was His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:9-12)
Hymn (#101) “Name of All Majesty” (v. 3)
Savior of Calvary, costliest victory,
Darkness defeated and Eden restored;
Born as a man to die, nailed to the cross on high,
Cold in the grave to lie – Jesus is Lord!
Leader: The Light of the Lord continues to shine, as it radiates through us filling our lives with Christian love and service; for God has given us His Word.
Lighting of the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath.
People: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Hymn (#101) “Name of All Majesty” (v. 4)
Source of all sovereignty, light, immortality,
Life everlasting and heaven assured;
So with the ransomed, we praise Him eternally,
Christ in His majesty – Jesus is Lord!
Lighting of the Christ candle, and from it our individual candles.
[The ushers will light the candle of the first person in each row from the center aisle. Then each person will light their candle off the lit candle of the person next to them. Please be sure to tip only the unlit candle to help avoid the dripping of wax.]
*HYMN (#186) “Silent Night! Holy Night!”
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.
*HYMN (#179) “Joy to the World”
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns;
Let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sin and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, 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,
and wonders of His love,
and wonders, wonders of His love.
*CLOSING BENEDICTION
Now may the God whose light shines in the darkness illuminate your hearts with the brightness of Christ. Go with God’s Spirit. Shine forth in God’s world – to the glory of God. Amen.
(Please extinguish your candle as we close our service. There is a receptacle in the back of the church in which to place your candle.)
*POSTLUDE: “Toccata on Psalm 150” Douglas Wagner
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY
Acoustic Worship Team:
Christian Multunas, Natalia Multunas, Sal Scecchitano, Holly Steciuk
Choir: Nancy Boyle, Sue Laz, Diane Morlock, Natalia Multunas, Holly Steciuk, Kelly Valerio
Director of Music and Audio/Video Ministries: Sal Scecchitano
Greeters: Peter Laz and Bruce Tolagian
Candle Lighter: Holly Steciuk
Audio/Video: Bill Multunas
Facebook Facilitator: Abigail Lee
Christmas Poinsettias
Given By: In Memory Of:
Sal Scecchitano Rose, Tom, and Joanne Scecchitano
Nancy Boyle Dearly departed loved ones
The McCartney Family Lois & Harry McCartney
Ethel Schutt
Ruth and Howard Dickson Loved Ones
Deena and Colleen Dominy Andrew Yanney
Orland Dominy
Peter & Sue Laz Jules & Lois Multunas
Ted & Anna Laz
Bob Somerville Pete and Jane Somerville
Joe and Virginia Carey
Diane Morlock Fred and Jeff
Kelly Valerio Lee and Doris Dennis
Joshua Valerio
Given By: In Honor Of:
Diane Morlock Karen, Pete, and Laura
Trinity Church The McAuley Family
Ruth and Howard Dickson Our family