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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

December 24, 2024

GATHERING FOR WORSHIP

Prelude                             Carols of Christmas
Words of Welcome

Duet     “The Friendly Beasts”          Judy & Gary Ritts

Call to Worship

Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

People: We who have lived in darkness have seen the Light of the Lord growing brighter, day by day.

Leader:  This night, the True Light arrives.

People: This night, the Light shines brightest.

Leader:  The Light of Hope has come.

People: The Light of Peace has come.

Leader:  The Light of Joy has come.

People: The Light of Love has come.

Leader:  For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

People: His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace.  He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.

Leader:  Let us kindle the light of the Lord in our lives and in our hearts!

* Hymn No. 148                 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Unison Prayer:

Come, listen, the sounds of God-with-us ring clear,Hope, Peace, Joy and Love all together appear. The Word once made flesh, yet the Word ever near. Candles aglow for the Christ-birthday here.  Amen.

Solo                 “Christmas Lullaby”           Allison Mitchell

THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN

Please remain seated for carols, singing first verses only.

Hymn No. 144 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

The Journey   Luke 2:1-5                        Arthur Bloomquist

Choral Anthem

No Room   Luke 2:6-7             Bill Gorman

Hymn No. 147     “Away in a Manger”

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

Duet         “O Holy Night”                            Adolphe Adam

Jodi Mulcahy and Nathaniel Sides

Christmas Prayer

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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

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In the Field               Luke 2:8-14                     Lorraine Anderson

Hymn No. 155         “Angels We Have Heard On High”

All are invited to ring your bells during the chorus.

The Shepherds Respond     Luke 2:15-20             Cindy DiIorio

Hymn No. 151 “The First Noel”

Visitors From the East     Matthew 2:1-2, 5-6, 9-11                 Ami Dion

Hymn No. 172           “We Three Kings”

CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Words of Invitation

Offertory Anthem

*Doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

We give you thanks, O Holy One, for the world of wonder you have made—forest and field, sea and sky —and for the gift of grace you have given — a little child, lying in a manger. Receive these gifts of tenderness and love, of gratitude and praise, and use them for your glory; as, in the name of Jesus Christ, the child of Bethlehem, we pray. Amen.

SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Hymn              “Silent Night, Holy Night”

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.

Silent Night, Holy Night, Shepherds quake at the sight,

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia;

Christ, the savior is born! Christ, the savior is born!

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.

RECEIVING THE LIGHT INTO OUR HEARTS

*Hymn No. 143       “Joy to the World” (all verses)

*Responsive Benediction

Leader: All is Calm,

People: All is Bright!

Leader: Go Forth to bless God’s name!

People: Glory to God in the highest!

Leader: For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

People: Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

Leader: May the Peace of Christ be thine tonight! Merry Christmas!!

People: Merry Christmas!!

Postlude         “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”       arr. Mark Hayes