The center of our faith, the center of our week.
Our worship is intergenerational, radically inclusive, and open to everyone
Worship at Indianola
Down-to-earth | Casual | Traditional | Contemplative | Creative
IPC's worship service is filled with beautiful historic and contemporary music and inspiring, relevant messages for all ages.
Each week we reconnect with God and one another through song, prayer, art, and scriptural reflection & dialogue.
We believe faith is something best practiced and shaped in community
and that worship is the best laboratory we have for God to shape us and allow us to experiment with and grow in faith!
Sundays at 10:30 am
Sunday Worship
Join us at 10:30am for worship and community.
Parking is available across the street in our lot.
Online Worship
Watch Live or Anytime On Youtube or Facebook
Our sanctuary and worship format leans a bit “traditional,”
but you will always find here:
- rich, spirit-filled music drawing from contemporary & historic sources -
- a relevant scriptural message steeped in liberation theology as well as the reformed tradition -
- a radically warm, welcoming, and inclusive community -
- a place to “come-as-you-are” -
Kids of all ages are always welcome to join parents in the sanctuary for all parts of worship on Sunday. God put the wiggles in children, don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All kids are invited to come down for a special message just for them before the sermon.
For younger kids and nursing parents
At the back of our sanctuary is our Kid’s Carpet with rockers, toys, books, coloring materials and plenty of space for ambitious crawlers and wandering toddlers.
For older kids
At the front of the sanctuary are our Kid’s Table, stocked with activities to engage kids in worship. Parents are encouraged to sit in the front pew and continue to help your child worship.
Kids in Church!
- Worship This Sunday -
December 24, 2025
PRELUDE "In the Bleak Midwinter” Gustav Holst, arr. Amanda Mae Conrad
*Processional Carol “Once in Royal David’s City” IRBY
Verses 1-2, sung by the choir alone. All are invited to stand to sing verses 3-4
WELCOME Rev. Trip Porch
Candle Lighting The Renkes & Concitis Families
*HYMN 113 "Angels We have Heard on High" GLORIA
*THE BIDDING PRAYER written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy Michael Ayers
One: We have waited for a long time
for your hope, your peace, your joy, your love
to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.
Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.
In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,
banishing the shadows of this world
and guiding all the people closer to you.
All: Yet you did not come into this world
in a show of power and glory.
You did not shine forth for all of creation to behold at once.
You came as a tiny spark –
a newborn baby,
visible to parents and curious animals.
A host of angels –
away from the populated areas,
singing to migrant workers.
A sparkling star – guiding foreigners to see what neighbors could not.
One: Open our hearts, merciful God,
to the sparks of your presence still in this world.
Open our eyes,
that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places,
and among the least likely of people.
All: God with us,
Ignite your spirit within us, that together
we may shine forth your light into the shadows of this world,
we might proclaim through our life your Christmas miracle:
God, Emmanuel, is with us in this world, now and evermore.
One: Magnify your love within our hearts, gracious God,
that we might speak anew your word in these words,
And have this ancient story retold afresh this night. Amen.
RESPONSE OF PRAISE 113 "Angels We have Heard on High" Refrain Only GLORIA
THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 CEB Bekka Gayley
CAROL “All of You Who Walked in Darkness” Mendelssohn (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
All of you who walked in darkness who have known the fear of night —
Now rejoice and sing with gladness; come and see the wondrous light!
God has turned your tears to songs, lifting burdens, righting wrongs.
God sent us a tiny boy bringing hope and peace and joy.
In one little baby's birth, God knelt down to love the earth.
Still Christ comes to save God's people, still he comes to those oppressed.
To the folks who toil and struggle, God has sent the very best.
To the young and to the old, to the homeless, tired and cold,
To the lost, to those who mourn, to the world, a child is born.
In one little baby's birth, God knelt down to love the earth.
In this time of celebration, may we show what life can be,
As we care for God's creation, as we serve the Prince of Peace.
Seeking justice everywhere, lifting burdens others bear,
May we gladly serve and pray — knowing why we live this way:
In one little baby's birth, God knelt down to love the earth.
THE SECOND LESSON Luke 1:26–38 The Voice Peter Maurath
CHILDREN’S CHOIR “An Angel Told Mary, Good News ” Sharon L. Beckstead
WORD WITH CHILDREN Rev. Trip Porch
THE THIRD LESSON Luke 2:1–20 The Voice Jessica Riviere
*CAROL 117 "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" WINCHESTER OLD
MEDITATION Rev. Trip Porch
CHOIR ANTHEM “Carol of the Stranger” Abbie Betinis
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
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. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY “O Holy Night” Adolf Adam; arr. Mark Hayes
Soloist – Betsy Tullis, soprano
THE FOURTH LESSON John 1:1–14 CEB Rev. Dr. Susan Warrener Smith
SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
As you receive the light, please tip the unlit candle to receive the light from the lit candle.
Carol 122 “Silent Night” STILLE NACHT
Soloist Sophia Haws will sing verse 1 in German; all are invited to sing as indicated
1 (all)
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 (high voices)
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly host sing “Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born;
Christ the Savior is born.”
3 (low voices)
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 (all) lifting candles
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.
BENEDICTION
Leader: May the Christ, who, by his incarnation, gathered into one the things of
heaven and earth, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill,
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be
upon you and remain with you always.
People: Alleluia!
Leader: Go forth in peace and joy.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE “Away in a Manger” CRADLE SONG
The IPC Children’s Choir
THE LIGHT SPREADS Caroline Fortman
*CLOSING CAROL 136 “Go Tell it on the Mountain” GO TELL IT
POSTLUDE “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming” Michael Pretorius arr. Polly Bekasova
Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-
