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First Sunday of Christmas
December 28, 2025 10:30 a.m.
(Welcome to worship today. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation.
Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.)
Prelude
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship (Psalm 148, adapted) Sarah Neel
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights!
Praise him, sun and moon;
Praise him, all his host!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let us worship God.
*Hymn #147 “The First Nowell” the first nowell
The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]
This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. [Refrain]
Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. [Refrain]
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Gregg neel
On Christmas Day, we remember that God came to us and is with us. We are invited to remember that God came to us and is with us every day. Now, on this first Sunday after the celebration of Christmas, we confess. Confession assures us that God is with us and came to us so that we can have new life. Let each of us acknowledge how we have fallen short, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
God of life, forgive our denial of life, our destruction of its hopes, our denial of its needs, our distorting of its possibilities. Fill us with your Spirit of life, that we might be people of life, servants of life, encouragers of life, signs of Christ, the life of the world.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
In Jesus Christ, God knows and receives us as we are. Listen, give thanks, and live.
Let us give thanks to Christ!
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Hebrews 2: 10-18 (p. 219) Sarah Neel
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
And again,
‘I will put my trust in him.’
And again,
‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Rev. Junah Kim
Special Music
Sermon Sarah Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #145 “What Child Is This” greensleeves
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?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary!
Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through;
the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary!
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, one and all, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high.
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary!
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Eileen Parfrey
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
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Special Music
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Hymn #136 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” go tell it
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold thru-out the heavens
There shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
*Benediction Sarah Neel
*Postlude
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)
Preaching today is Sarah Neel. Sarah is a member of Westminster. She has attended Westminster since she was five years old. She is a sophomore at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY and is a theater major.