CHRISTMAS EVE

WORSHIP SERVICE         Sunday, December 24, 2006                      4:30 P.M.

PRAYER TIME BEFORE THE SERVICE: The one thing each of us needs this Christmas Eve, O God, is a fresh word from you. We want to see Christmas not as getting things, but receiving your greatest gift to us – Jesus Christ. We want to hear the Christmas story like we have never heard it before. We want to listen to those courageous prophets who spoke of a new day when the Son of Righteousness would appear. We want those gospel stories telling of your Son’s birth to burrow deep in our mind and soul, so that we can leave here in the peace and joy of his presence. Live in us, blessed Child of God, be our light, be our King. Let us be ever thankful for the only true Christmas gift that allows us to become children of God, and joint heirs with Him in your kingdom. Welcome Jesus, born this night. Welcome Son of God coming into the world. Welcome Son of the Most High. Welcome the one sent from above whose kingdom will have no end. Amen.

                                                                                                                                  

PRELUDE                               “At the Cradle of Jesus”                                  Bingham

                                    “Away in a Manger”, Haley Raphael, violin

             “We Three Kings”, Heather Raphael, piano

 

WELCOME

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Micah 5)

Leader:                    The Lord announces, “Bethlehem, you are one of the smallest

                               towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel…”

Congregation:  One who is expecting, will give birth to a son.

Leader:                  When he comes, he will rule his people with strength that comes

                             from the Lord.

Congregation:     People will sense the majesty of God in him.

Leader :                 People all over the earth will acknowledge his greatness.

Congregation:  He will bring peace, the only peace that truly lasts.

Leader:                 Come and dwell among us, Son of the most High God. Come and         make your world new! Come live in us!   

All:                       Welcome, child of God. We rejoice in your arrival.

                            

*PRAYER OF ADORATION

                                                                        -2-

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

Unison Prayer: Gracious God, as we light this final candle, we celebrate your light born among us in the form of Jesus, your Son. He is the light of the world. No longer do we live in darkness, or under bondage to sin, death and the enemy, but his birth heralds a decisive breaking into this world in human

flesh. Born of Mary, born of the Holy Spirit, we rejoice with the angels and archangels of heaven, that your Servant is here, Messiah has come to us and

our hearts rejoice. May your heavenly music fill us, may the glad tidings of his birth give light to our lives, and may we be filled with the joy and peace that he brings. May every dark corner of the world be filled with your light this night, and always. Amen.

 

LESSONS AND CAROLS

 

THE FIRST LESSON                            Isaiah 9:2-7                         (O.T. Page 638) 

 

*CAROL                                “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                                  No. 41    

 

SOLO                                  “Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head”                                 Niles

                                                Anne Linaberger, soprano

 

THE SECOND LESSON               Luke 1:26-38                              (N.T. Page 56)                                

CAROL                                “O Little Town of Bethlehem                                No. 44

 

SOLO                                     “I Wonder as I Wander”                  Appalachian Carol

                                                     Jeannie Schott, flute  

 

THE THIRD LESSON                     Luke 1:39-45                           (N.T. Page 57)    

 

CAROL                                      “What Child is This?”                                      No. 53

                                                                   

SOLO                                          “Mary’s Boy Child”                                     Hairston

                                                      Leah Ehrhardt, alto

 

THE FOURTH LESSON                      Luke 2:1-7                                 (N.T. Page 58)                  

CAROL                             “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”                             No. 38

 

                                                                        -3-

SOLO                                                 “Joy to the World”

                                                          Haley Raphael, violin

 

                                                                         

THE FIFTH LESSON                            Luke 2:8-14                          (N.T. Page 58)    

                                                                         

*CAROL                                  “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”                         No.31

 

DUET                                               “Silent Night”         

                                        Dave Sartori and Andy Fraley, guitars

                                                                           

THE SIXTH LESSON                        Matthew 2:1-11                         (N.T. Page 2)

 

CAROL                                       “Away in a Manger”                                       No. 25

 

DUET                               “Angels We Have Heard on High”                                      

                                               Haley and Heather Raphael

                                                                   

THE SEVENTH LESSON                     John 1:1-14                           (N.T. Page 91)

 

*CAROL                                            “Joy to the World”                                  No. 40

 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING

 

OFFERTORY                              “What Child Is This?                                      Purvis

 

THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER

 

THE SERVICE OF LIGHTS

 

THE EIGHTH LESSON                      Hebrews 1:1-8                      (N.T. Page 218)    

 

CAROL                                        “The First Nowell”                                        No. 56

                                                        Vs. 1, 2, 3, & 4

                                                                   

CHRISTMAS PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of promises fulfilled, we give thanks on this holy night that your Son’s coming was proclaimed by the prophets, that the virgin mother bore him in


                                                                        -4-

her womb with love beyond all telling. We give thanks that on a silent night a baby’s cry pierced the darkness that could never again hide your light from our faces. We give thanks that John the Baptist was his herald and made him known when at last he came. We give thanks for the angel who appeared to

Joseph and to Mary, your messenger with good news for this world. Fulfilling his promise of love for all the world, Christ has filled our hearts

with joy and peace as we celebrate his birth this night. When he comes again to bring his kingdom to completion, may he find us watching and waiting, our hearts filled with wonder and praise.

                                                                         -                          

LIGHTING THE CANDLES

(In passing the light, please do not tip your lighted candle)

                                                                         

CAROL                                   “Silent Night, Holy Night”                                       No. 60

 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

 

POSTLUDE                               “On Christmas Night”                                 Burkhardt

 

WE EXTEND A WARM CHRISTMAS WELCOME to everyone worshipping with us tonight. We know many of you are students, extended family, visitors, and you have come from near and far. Our prayer for you is that the story of Jesus’ birth will come to you this night in all its freshness and full meaning. The staff and officers of the church wish everyone present a Christ-filled Christmas and New Year. Please sign the red friendship pad in the pew rack and if you are a visitor, please affix your address and phone number.

 

LIGHTING THE CANDLES: Please be very careful as you light your candles this evening. As you pass the light, do not tip your lighted candle. When leaving the sanctuary following worship, please extinguish your candle and place it in the container by the door for people at the next service.

 

SPECIAL THANKS is extended to Anne Linaberger, Leah Ehrhardt, Dave Sartori, Andy Fraley, Jeannie Schott and Haley and Heather Raphael for playing and singing in this Holy Christmas Eve service.

 

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31ST.   There will be one service at 10:00 a.m., message by Dr. Antonson, Northmont Chancel Choir and there will be Holy Communion.