December 28, 2025 10AM

Gathering in-person as well as on Zoom 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84796018939?pwd=qbqOdeZSiGJBdeUkUKlT4ZOiYLjIdY.1
Meeting ID: 847 9601 8939
Passcode: 386656


December 28, 2025

The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men. For one who wanted to make a display the thing would have been just to appear and dazzle the beholders. But for Him Who came to heal and to teach the way was not merely to dwell here, but to put Himself at the disposal of those who needed Him. . .
—Athanasius of Alexandria


Prelude  

Welcome and Announcements

John 1:14
The word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
full of grace and truth.


Call to Worship 
Christ is born! 
Give him glory!
Christ has come down from heaven! 
Receive him!
Christ is now on earth! 
Exalt him!
Oh earth, sing to the Lord! Oh, you nations, praise him,
For He has been glorified! Amen.

 

*Opening Songs:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (#171)
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 th'angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

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 Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”
 
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 them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”


Congregational Choice

 
Responsive Prayer of Preparation
Pat Bennet
Christmas Child –
becoming flesh, you showed what it was
to serve and share,
to live and love,
as God intended.
As we stand at the stable door
we confess that all too often
our living and loving
have displaced or distorted your image,
rather than making it present and plain.
(Silence)
Christmas Child,
as we kneel again at your manger
restore, renew and reshape us
so that our serving and sharing,
living and loving
may, now and always,
incarnate you in the world. Amen.



Congregational Choice

 

Scripture— Isaiah 9:2-7 (pg. 555) 


 

Congregational Choice

 

Scripture— Matthew 1:1-16 (pg. 783) 

Sermon 
Rev. Patrick Vaughn


Sacred Silence 


Congregational Choice



Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer


Congregational Choice

 

Blessing & Sending

*Please stand as you are able

Liturgist: Rose Smith
Musicians: Bob Davies, Ensemble

Tithes & Offerings: If you would like to make a financial offering you can give online: https://epc-bothell.churchcenter.com/giving