Worship Programs

Theme:

                       "Kingdom Power"

Christmas Eve - Congregational Reading

GOD IS WITH US

By Rebecca Phillips

LEADER:

Before time began and as universes were spoken in to existence –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When He created the Garden of Eden – only to watch Adam and Eve tumble from the light of perfection and in to the darkness of sin –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When Moses picked up the snake – and it became the rod of salvation, leading the Israelites in their rebellious wanderings – year after year –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When the walls of Jericho crumbled! As a young King David became a mighty warrior using five smooth stones – and a jaded man caught in the webs of adultery –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

As Daniel took an evening stroll in a fiery furnace – and embraced a den of lions –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

As the Magi followed a star to Bethlehem to find a young virgin who had given birth to God incarnate –

CONGREGATION:
God is with us.

LEADER:

When Jesus asked John to baptize Him, teaching us in a single moment that we all need the Father – even the very Son of God –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When Jesus called his disciples – choosing men of no great reputation – but simple human beings to change the course of history –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When Peter walked on stormy waves – and began to sink in his own self-doubt, only to be affirmed with the hand of Christ catching him in the depths –

CONGREGATION:

God is with us.

LEADER:

When Jesus spoke life in to a void, broken woman at the well – restoring dignity to her shameful wounded soul –

CONGREGATION:
God is with us.

LEADER:
And when Jesus broke bread and poured the wine to His disciples, only to allow His body to be crushed and poured out for our very salvation today – only to resurrect after three days in the belly of the earth, warring with the enemy – and winning –

CONGREGATION:
God is with us.

LEADER:

And in our times of war and desperation – of a devastated moral standard and of children having no homes – of fear and terror on every side – we have this assurance: that the same God that parted the seas and walked through a fiery furnace with Daniel – the same God that hovered over a rebellious nation as a pillar of fire; the same God that walked on waves, catching those who are drowning in self-destructive billows; yes, the same God that was murdered on a wooden deathbed, only to walk out of his very grave – that same God has been, is, and always will be – with us.
 

Lights.