(WILMINGTON, CA)
Calvary Presbyterian Church
December 24, 2025 - 7:30 PMChristmas Eve Service/Communion Service
Order of Worship
Prelude/Silent Meditation
Karine Bendicion
Leader: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.
People: And the government will be on His shoulders.
Leader: And He will be called, Wonderful Counselor,
People: Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Leader: Of the increase of His government there shall be no end. People: And He will establish justice and righteousness,
All: And His rule will be forever and ever. Amen.
Elder Michael Delfin
Call to Worship
Opening Hymn #31
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Hymn: Charles Wesley, 1739
Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840
1.
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 the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
2.
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 the incarnate Deity,
Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
3.
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!".
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Josh and Lyzette Fadriquela
with children: Jaysen, Elena and Celeste
Invocation
Prayer of Confession (together)
Gracious God, gentle Lord, on this holy night we pray that your power and peace would cast out our sin, that there may be room for you to be born in our hearts. We confess we have crowded you out of our lives with false priorities and self-serving goals. We have been selfish and called it "prudence." We have been arrogant and called it "self-esteem." We have been cruel and called it "necessary." Forgive us, Lord.
We have deceived people and pretended it was "for their own good." We have hurt good people and claimed it was "nothing personal." We have hidden our sins behind clichés and habits for so long we are hardly aware of right and wrong. Forgive us, Lord. Send your Spirit to awaken our consciences and purify our minds, that this Christmas we may welcome you aright. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
(A short moment of silence for personal reflection will follow this prayer, to be ended with the ringing of the bell.)
Assurance of Pardon
Rev. Emmanuel Orendain
Life of the Congregation
Sharing of the Peace
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Dane and Danelle Espiritu
OT: Isaiah 9: 2-7 / NT: Luke 2: 8-21
* Scripture Lesson
Gloria Patri #567
“Glory Be to the Father”
Prayer of the People / The Lord’s Prayer
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me
forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in
Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
Prayer Response
Jesu, Joy of Christmas
by Johan Sebastian Bach,
(incorporating Silent Night & Away in a Manger)
arranged by Greg Gilpin
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.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Jesu, joy of love most high.
CPC Chancel Choir
Karine Bendicion, CACM conducting
Anthem
Meditation from the Word of God
“OF SHEEP AND SHEPHERDS”
Rev. Emmanuel G. Orendain
Affirmation of Faith
Pastor: We believe in the Eternal God
People: In whose mind was born the plan of salvation;
In whose heart was born a love for humankind.
Pastor: We believe in the Incarnate God
People: Born in humble station
Amid the lowing animals,
A light in darkness,
The promise of hope to the world.
Pastor: We believe in the Saving God
People: Bringing life to the womb of Mary,
Giving a song to the angel chorus,
Proclaiming Good News to the shepherds of Bethlehem.
Pastor: We believe in the God who was, is and ever shall be;
People: The same yesterday, today and forever;
Pastor: Before Bethlehem, at Bethlehem, beyond Bethlehem,
All: Forever, world without end.
This we believe and so we live, Amen.
(Adapted from a Christmas Creed, 2015)
Offertory Music
Mia and Daniel Amoranto
Doxology Hymn #593
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Prayer of Dedication
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Communion Hymn #6
Hymn: Joseph Mohr, 1818
Tune: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818
1.
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.
2.
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."
3.
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.
4.
Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.
“Silent Night”
Closing Hymn #23
Angels We Have Heard on High
French carol trans. James Chadwick, 1813-1882
1.
Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.
REFRAIN:
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?
(REFRAIN)
3.
Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
(REFRAIN)
Closing Prayer and Benediction / Three-Fold Amen
Postlude/Moment of Silence
Karine Bendicion