JESUS, OUR HOPE
“Morning Star” Moravian hymn
Morning Star, O glorious sight! Filling all the world with light.
Morning Star, thy glory bright, far excels the sun’s clear light:
Jesus mine; in me shine; fill my heart with Thy light divine.
Morning Star, thou lightest our way, whether it be night or day.
Morning Star, heav’ns brightest ray, ever with Thee would we stay.
Thee we own Lord alone; man’s great Savior, God’s own Son!
“Mary, Did You Know” Spiritual, arr. Larson
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy had come to make you new,
This child that you delivered, would soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy had walked where angels trod,
And when you kissed your little baby you kissed the face of God.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s Perfect Lamb,
This sleeping child you’re holding is The Great I AM?
“The First Noel” (#118) arr. Alfred Fedak
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Richard Willis
“We Three Kings” John Hopkins, Jr.
“God Rest Ye, Merry” English Carol
“O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” English, arr. V. Williams
O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
And of the news that came to them from angels in the air:
The light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
Of Jesus’ birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.
O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy,
O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless Boy:
For now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow;
Now spreads the fame of His dear name on all the winds that blow.
O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
Of Him who walked upon the sea and bade its waves be still:
For though, like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
When faith has heard the Master’s word falls peace upon the soul.
O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay;
Of Him who hung upon the tree and took our sins away:
For He who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
And Christ, our Lord, by heaven adored, is mighty now to save.
“Awesome God” Rich Mullens
“Celebrate the Child” Michael Card
Refrain: Celebrate the Child who is the light; now the darkness is over.
No more wand’ring in the night—Celebrate the Child who is the Light!
You know this is no fable: God-head and man-hood became one.
We see He’s more than able, and so we live to God the Son.
First-born of all creation, Lamb and Lion, God and man,
Author of salvation, Almighty wrapped in swaddling bands.
Scripture John 3:16 Gerri Kohtz
Offering our Gifts Congregation
Offertory “A Diligent and Grateful Heart” (#639) Lois Hilll
Prayer of Dedication Norman Moll
* Hymn of Response “O When Shall I See Jesus” No. 448
Blessing Norman Moll
Postlude “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” (#204) Charles Callahan
* * * * *
Participants: Kristopher Mercy (organ), Matthew Mwemba (violin), Cade (trumpet) and
Keagan Leuenberger, Hannah Kohtz (vocal), Cedric (trumpet) & Johnathon
(baritone horn) Merrills, Kaitlyn Mercy (vocal, art), Mathew Steinke
Leaders: Susan Mercy, Gerri Kohtz & Sharon Moll
All-purpose helper: Norman Moll
* * * * *
The story doesn’t end at the manger –
as endearing as that story is to us.
Or at the cross --
as heartbreaking and warming as it is.
Or even at the empty tomb --
as much of a victory as it is.
The next chapter --,
when the Savior comes to take us home forever --
is what we are still longing for.