At Inglewood we try to involve all age groups in worship as much as possible. For this service the children created a banner of many of the names of Jesus; Scripture readers represented every age group; high schoolers distributed candles; the junior high group lit the candles. Both adult and children’s choirs participated in the service. The names of Jesus were projected on a screen as the service progressed.
Prelude
God’s Greeting
Carol
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” Wade
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” Landry
Introduction to the Theme
Leader: Every Christmas we retell the story of Jesus’ birth—a pivotal event in the grandest of all narratives. Jesus’ birth fulfilled all the promises God made in the Old Testament. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection revealed God’s vision for life to all his children. Our candlelight service is one way we celebrate Jesus’ birth each Christmas. Candles play a central role in this service because Jesus is revealed to us as God’s light for the world. This year we focus on the life and ministry of the one who was born 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” Hearn
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” Neale
Scripture
Isaiah 7:14
Song
“Emmanuel, Emmanuel” McGee
Son of David, Branch of Jesse
Scripture
Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-12; Revelation 22:16
Carol
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Baker; Grindal
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
Son of God
Scripture
John 3:16-18
Song
“For God So Loved the World” Townsend
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” Wesley
Anthem
“Lord God Almighty” Huisman
Lamb of God
Scripture
Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:12
Song
“You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd” Dunstan
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” Paris
His Name Shall Be Called . . . Jesus
Scripture
Matthew 1:18-25
Carol
“Once in Royal David’s City” Alexander
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 Wesley
The Lord’s Blessing
Carol
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” stanza 3 Wesley
Postlude
“For unto Us a Child Is Born” (G. F. Handel)
