December 28, 2025

Описание: DECEMBER 28, 2025
CHRISTMAS SUNDAY
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS 

Please Stand If Able 

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements 

*Call to Worship

PASTOR: Just as our theme carol asks, “what child is this?” we, too, have come with our questions this day. We go into the world with answers of Good News, being the Body of Christ through our words and deeds.

PEOPLE: We Ask, We Answer

PASTOR: As we prepare to go into the world, let us ask and answer the question we came with.

PEOPLE: What child IS this?

PASTOR: This is the one surrounded by sacrificial love.

PEOPLE: What child IS this?

PASTOR: This is the one who would go on to great sacrifice in the name of love.

PEOPLE: What child IS this?

PASTOR: This, this is the one “Enthroned by Love” who invites us into more love than we thought was possible.

Opening Hymn – “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” #240

Lighting of the Advent Wreath – Please sing with us.

What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Reader 1: In 1865, William Chatterton Dix penned a poem that would become the beloved Christmas-time favorite, “What Child is This?” This year for Advent and Christmas, we have been prompted by this carol to ask deeper questions of Jesus’ identity, “what child IS this?”

Reader 2: When we look beyond the lullaby and behind the scenes, what we discover is that the answers are much more complicated than the lilting lullaby tune conveys. The time of Jesus’ birth was fraught with difficulties. This is the scene into which Jesus was born. We are called, as his disciples, to enter the scene in the midst of our own complicated and difficult time in history, offering Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love as the Christ Child did.

Reader 1: We light this candle of Love for those who need it most.

Reader 2: For all who need more Hope. (Light a Purple Candle.)

Reader 1: For all who yearn for Peace. (Light a Purple Candle.)

Reader 2: For all whose Joy lays dormant. (Light the Pink Candle.)

Reader 1: For all who need the salve of Love. (Light a Purple Candle.)

Reader 2: For all of who need this Child of Possibility. (Light the White Candle.)

Reader 1: Our question for this night at the scene of the nativity is this: “How do the messages of this child reverberate into our time, our lives, our world?’”

Reader 2: What child IS this? This, this, is Christ the King who reigns with hope, peace, joy, and love forever.

This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Opening Prayer
Here, at the nativity of your birth, give us the courage to face this moment with humility and hope. Open us to new understandings of the unfolding story of your presence among us. Show us the true meaning of the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray in the name of the Child, the One Who Reigns in our hearts and lives. Amen.

Children’s Chat 

Scripture- Luke 2:1-19
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. 
People: Thanks be to God 

Series: “What Child IS This: Beyond the Lullaby”
Message: “The Babe”

“We Keep Watch” – Prayers and Offering

*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 

Prayer Hymn – “O Come All Ye Faithful” #234 vs 1-3

Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns 

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer 

*Closing Hymn – “Go Tell It on the Mountain” #251

Action Steps and Benediction 

Postlude