CHRISTMAS DAY
December 25 | 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Welcome
*Call to Worship
Leader: Glory to God in the highest!
People: And on earth peace to all!
Leader: For to us a child is born.
People: To us a gift is given!
Leader: Welcome to Christmas. Welcome to worship.
People: Let our celebrations begin!
*Gathering Hymn
28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo)
*Prayer of Christmas Blessing (Unison)
The light of the world is born again,
and our hearts are filled with hope.
May we receive the gift so freely given
and bravely take that light
to even the darkest corners
and hardest hearts
of our hurting and beautiful world.
In Christ we pray, amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Holy One,
come to this place
and increase our love for one another
by the reading of your word. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
John 1:1-14 (New Testament Pew Bible Page 79)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Wonderous Gifts
The Gift of Silver Linings, Noah Lapsley
The Gift of Presence, Seth Belzley
The Gift of Love, Sylvia Cordy
Moment for Reflection
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison)
We believe in God, whose light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never smother it;
source of love, depth, and compassion.
We believe in Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem to Mary,
who became the Word incarnate,
who taught us to love;
who embodies justice and faithfulness, who journeys with us.
We believe that the Holy Spirit guides us on our way,
surrounding us with grace and calling us to live
with compassion to ourselves and others. Amen.
Christmas Hymn Sing
Advent and Christmas hymns are numbers 1-60 in the hymnal.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works. A continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (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.
*Closing Hymn
56 The First Nowell, Verses 1-4 (The First Nowell)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
What’s Happening at Montview?
Find out about a trip to Frontera De Cristo in March, 2023 Mission Life grant applications, Children’s
programming in the new year and more in our Week @ Montview email. Click here to access the latest edition.
A LOOK AHEAD
New Year’s Day Service
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead
January 1 | One Service at 11am
On January 1, we’ll be holding one worship service at 11:00am in the sanctuary. Our Guest Preacher will be Rev. Dr. Jason Whitehead. Jason is a Presbyterian minister, licensed clinical social worker, and certified coach. He is the lead curator at ReFrame an app-based new worshiping community focused on what it looks like to practice our faith on a daily basis. Childcare will be offered for ages Birth-7.
January 8
Regular Sunday Services in the Sanctuary . . . . . . 8:30 & 11:00am
Sunday School Preschool-Grade 5 resumes on January 8 in classrooms on the preschool and 2nd floors of the Children’s Wing.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Montview Members
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Rev. Ian Cummins and Amanda Osenga
Piano: Adam Waite
Sound: Jason Hays
Video: John Goerner
Livestream: Christine Hofstad
MONTVIEW CHURCH STAFF
Co-Pastors: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal and Rev. Ian Cummins
Minister of Music: Adam Waite
Minister of Children and Families: Sandy Prouty
Minister of Youth and Families: Amanda Osenga
Executive Director of Operations and Finance: Jason Hays
Director of Facilities: Bob Cloud
Director of Finance: Dan Gasser
Associate Minister of Music and Organist: Barbara Hulac
Executive Assistant to the Co-Pastors: Beth Ellsworth
Building Scheduling Coordinator: Deb Efird
Interim Membership Coordinator: Todd Rembe
Communications Coordinator: Christine Hofstad
Mission Life Coordinator: Jennifer Seward
Pastoral Care Ministry: Peter Hulac and Debby Sycamore
Sunday Morning Manager: Doug Easton
Sextons: Tony Johnson and Charles Johnson
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Sheila Cody; Dennis Cole; Dave, son-in-law of Nancy and John Thompson; Jenni Hatlem; Craig Maginness, Ellen Reath and family, mourning the death of Craig’s brother, Bob Maginness; Gretchen Ackermann Moss and the Ackermann family; Eden and Mac Murphy; The people of South Sudan who are facing starvation; Bea Romer; Sue Taylor, sister of Heidi Shriver; Leroy Thompson, brother of Delores Collins; Patricia Vestal; Steve Warnke
Deaths
December 2 | Ray Cunningham
November 30 | Dugan Frederick
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org